Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $32,682/yr fall 17% below the $39,530 national median for International Relations. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in International Relations's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,682 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #96 of 106 International Relations programs, Loyola University Chicago falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $55,884 show a 71% jump from the $32,682 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.