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International Relations at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,060/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)

ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #24 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	$522K	$519K	$484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.2x	16.1x	15.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.5x	6.1x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	48%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	50	48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,256

Out-of-state: $79,776 (6.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,352

-84% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

4.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,736

32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,060 track close to the $39,530 national median for International Relations programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 16.1x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $15,000 in median debt against $39,060 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #24 out of 106 programs, California State University-Chico's International Relations program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,060 to $51,736 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 13,057 in Chico, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Chico →

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

International Relations at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Chico

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 California State University-Chico's International Relations program score?

This program scores 50/100, 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 California State University-Chico rank so high for International Relations?

The #24 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 →