International Relations at Portland State University
Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,253/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI
9.7x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
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 | $429K | $436K | $421K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.5x | 9.7x | 9.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.6x | 3.6x | 3.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 53% | 48% | 37% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 28 | 28 | 30 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,952
Out-of-state: $120,552 (3.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,666
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,229
20% growth from Year 1
About Portland State University
With 91% of applicants admitted, Portland State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 13,619 in Portland, OR.
See all programs and financial aid at Portland State University →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Political science teachers, postsecondary
$94,680/yr
Compare & Explore
International Relations at Other Schools
Other Majors at Portland State University
Consider the Trade Route?
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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Relations at Portland State University?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Relations. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace International Relations careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $420,590 in decade earnings vs $429,091 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with International Relations from Portland State 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →