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International Relations at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,324/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)

ROI 12.1x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #47 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	$585K	$575K	$527K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.3x	12.1x	11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.4x	4.3x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	48%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,600

Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,600

-86% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,536

66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,324 track close to the $39,530 national median for International Relations programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 12.1x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,250 debt-to-$35,324 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #47 out of 106 programs, The University of Alabama's International Relations offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $35,324 to $58,536 over five years (66% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 32,323 students enrolled in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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

International Relations at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Alabama's International Relations program score?

This program scores 45/100 — 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →