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International Relations at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,627/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (9.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #45 of 106 International Relations programs Top 50%

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 $621K $607K $552K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 20.7x 18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.2x 9.9x 9.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 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)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (9.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,060
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,089
96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

CUNY City College's International Relations graduates start at $30,627/yr, trailing the $39,530 national average by 23%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 20.7x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,060 in median debt clears quickly against $30,627 in annual earnings.

Ranked #45 out of 106 programs, CUNY City College's International Relations offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $30,627 to $60,089 over five years (96% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About CUNY City College

CUNY City College's 58% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 11,934 in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City College →

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 CUNY City College

Computer Science ($83,258) Computer Engineering ($78,326) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,172) Chemical Engineering ($67,450) Civil Engineering ($67,194) Mechanical Engineering ($65,905) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($62,945) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($56,711)

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 CUNY City College's International Relations program score?
This program scores 46/100 — 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 CUNY City College?
Lower starting pay at CUNY City College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is International Relations at CUNY City College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $29,360, but the average net cost is $13,944 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →