International Relationsat Allegheny College
Graduates earn $24,303/yr in their first year — about 39.0% below the national International Relations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $391K; scenarios range from $386K to $378K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Allegheny College
The data suggests that an International Relations and National Security Studies degree from Allegheny College presents a challenging path to high early-career earnings. Located in Meadville, PA, the program isn't situated near major government or international organizational hubs, meaning graduates typically face relocation for relevant opportunities, adding an extra hurdle to initial job searches. While you'll gain a strong liberal arts foundation, the program may not offer the direct professional pipelines or specialized, in-demand skills training often found in larger, more pre-professional university settings. Many initial roles in this field, particularly in non-profits or advocacy, start with lower compensation, which can be further exacerbated by the theoretical focus. To succeed, you'll need to proactively build a highly specialized skillset, secure multiple internships, and aggressively network throughout your studies to differentiate yourself in a competitive market.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Allegheny College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering International Relations
How Allegheny College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Allegheny College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Allegheny College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in International Relations offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare International Relations trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about International Relations at Allegheny College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Relations at Allegheny College?
A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Relations. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is International Relations at Allegheny College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $24,303/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace International Relations careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $385,763 in decade earnings vs $378,286 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with International Relations from Allegheny College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Allegheny College a hidden gem for International Relations?
After financial aid, the average student pays $87,600 over four years — 60% below the $219,840 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.