Peace Studiesat DePaul University
Graduates earn $32,523/yr in their first year — about 21.0% below the national Peace Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $425K; scenarios range from $412K to $419K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at DePaul University
DePaul's Peace Studies program, with its Vincentian mission, uniquely positions graduates for impact-driven roles within Chicago's extensive non-profit, community advocacy, and public service sectors. The earnings profile often reflects the nature of these careers, where passion and social contribution frequently outweigh private sector salary potential. You'll develop critical skills in mediation, negotiation, and community organizing, highly valued by local and international NGOs, government agencies, and educational institutions.
The noted AI risk highlights how technology could streamline certain administrative or analytical aspects of social science and conflict resolution. However, the core human elements of empathy, nuanced interpersonal communication, and complex decision-making remain central to effective mediation and advocacy. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue diverse internships and experiential learning opportunities, building a robust network within Chicago's rich ecosystem of social justice organizations.
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 DePaul University'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 Peace Studies
How DePaul University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at DePaul University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at DePaul University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Peace Studies at DePaul University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Peace Studies at DePaul University?
A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Peace Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Peace Studies careers?
With 34% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $412,388 in decade earnings vs $418,756 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Peace Studies from DePaul University?
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.