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International Relations at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,021/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #79 of 106 International Relations programs

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 $612K $599K $546K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.8x 10.6x 9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.3x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,828
3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,829
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,758
110% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $27,021 per year, International Relations graduates from University of California-Riverside earn below the $39,530 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 10.6x 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.

The $18,829 debt-to-$27,021 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #79 out of 106 programs, University of California-Riverside's financial outcomes for International Relations trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $27,021 to $56,758 over five years (110% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Riverside

University of California-Riverside accepts 63% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 22,644 students enrolled in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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 University of California-Riverside

Computer Science ($81,034) Information Science/Studies ($76,090) Chemical Engineering ($68,245) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($66,430) Computer Engineering ($65,049) Mechanical Engineering ($62,554) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($61,342) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($59,309)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare International Relations trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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-Riverside's International Relations program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for International Relations. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are International Relations earnings lower at University of California-Riverside?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Riverside may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →