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International Relations at Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,433/yr (48% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #15 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 $760K $731K $647K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$250,296
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,984
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,620
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,758
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Lafayette College's International Relations program earn $58,433/yr in their first year — 48% above the $39,530 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

At 2.9x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some International Relations career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $16,620 in median debt against $58,433 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Lafayette College ranks #15 among 106 International Relations programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $58,433-to-$89,758 earnings arc over five years reflects a 54% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Lafayette College

Lafayette College admits 31% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a smaller student body of 2,746 in Easton, PA. The average net cost of $129,984 over four years represents a 48% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lafayette 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) Northwestern University ($58,326) Tufts University ($54,079) Angelo State University ($53,246)

Other Majors at Lafayette College

Chemical Engineering ($79,602) Engineering, General ($76,507) Mechanical Engineering ($72,481) Civil Engineering ($70,391) Economics ($68,164) Political Science and Government ($48,112) Sociology and Anthropology ($43,321) Biology, General ($41,885)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare International Relations trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for International Relations at Lafayette College?
At 54/100, Lafayette College's International Relations program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study International Relations at Lafayette College?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Lafayette College one of the best schools for International Relations?
Among 106 International Relations programs, Lafayette College's #15 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →