International Studies at College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · International/Global Studies
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,530/yr (33% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (2,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #29 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 Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $514K $513K $486K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.1x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 50% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$243,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$147,472
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $46,530 per year, International Studies graduates from College of the Holy Cross significantly outpace the $34,873 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in International Studies's typical career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $23,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #29 of 81 International Studies programs, College of the Holy Cross scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About College of the Holy Cross

A 21% acceptance rate puts College of the Holy Cross in competitive admissions territory, a smaller institution with 3,015 students in Worcester, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $147,472 — 39% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at College of the Holy Cross →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Studies at College of the Holy Cross?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →