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International Relations at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,584/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #23 of 106 International Relations programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to International Relations graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $633K $618K $560K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 12.0x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,436
Out-of-state: $153,460 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,384
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,732
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,584/yr, roughly in line with the $39,530 national median for International Relations. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 12.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $38,584 far exceeding the $18,384 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #23 out of 106 programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus's International Relations program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $38,584 to $65,732 over five years (70% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

A 51% admission rate makes Ohio State University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 44,617 in Columbus, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio State University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Political science teachers, postsecondary $94,680/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 106 schools offering International Relations →

International Relations at Other Schools

Bucknell University ($77,312) Stanford University ($76,166) Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey ($68,344) Middlebury College ($68,344) University of Pennsylvania ($65,559) Lafayette College ($58,433) Northwestern University ($58,326) Tufts University ($54,079)

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Computer Engineering ($83,342) Applied Mathematics ($82,523) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($82,448) Industrial Engineering ($80,876) Mechanical Engineering ($79,359) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,872) Engineering, Other ($78,734) Chemical Engineering ($77,455)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare International Relations trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ohio State University-Main Campus's International Relations program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for International Relations graduates.
How vulnerable is International Relations to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' International Relations careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Ohio State University-Main Campus rank so high for International Relations?
The #23 ranking out of 106 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →