International/Global Studies at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,388/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (2,000 openings/yr)
ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #23 of 81 International/Global Studies programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $630K $623K $584K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 10.9x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 50% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,948
Out-of-state: $180,056 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,360
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,999
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,832
88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,388/yr, International/Global Studies graduates from University of California-Irvine land near the $34,873 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 10.9x 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 — 24% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $14,999 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #23 out of 81 programs, University of California-Irvine's International/Global Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $33,388 to $62,832 over five years (88% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Irvine

A 26% acceptance rate puts University of California-Irvine in competitive admissions territory, one of the larger campuses at 29,494 students in Irvine, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other $75,040/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

International/Global Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Irvine

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Irvine's International/Global Studies program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for International/Global Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →