International Relationsat Lafayette College
Graduates earn $58,433/yr in their first year — about 48.0% above the national International Relations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $731K; scenarios range from $647K to $760K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Lafayette College
Lafayette's International Relations and National Security Studies program consistently sees its graduates achieve impressive financial outcomes, significantly outpacing national averages for this major. This isn't just about the curriculum; it reflects the college's strong liberal arts foundation, which cultivates exceptional analytical, research, and communication skills highly valued across diverse industries.
As a private, selective institution, Lafayette benefits from robust alumni networks and strong recruiting pipelines into competitive sectors like consulting, finance, and global business, especially given its accessibility to major East Coast markets. While many IR students initially envision careers in government or NGOs, Lafayette graduates often leverage their interdisciplinary training to excel in private sector roles requiring strategic thinking and cross-cultural understanding, such as risk analysis or international market development. To maximize your potential, actively pursue internships in varied fields, not just traditional IR roles, and lean into the college's career services and alumni network to forge connections that open doors to these high-growth opportunities.
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 Lafayette College'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 International Relations
How Lafayette College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Lafayette College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Lafayette College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in International Relations offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare International Relations trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about International Relations at Lafayette College
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.