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Multi / Interdisciplinary · International Studies Rank #32 of 81

International Studiesat The University of the South

Graduates earn $42,390/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national International Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $609K; scenarios range from $572K to $616K depending on AI disruption.

Sewanee, TN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
32 AT RISK
32
Optimistic
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,390
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$609K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
36% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of the South

At $42,390 per year, International Studies graduates from The University of the South earn slightly above the $34,873 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 2.8x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some International Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #32 ranking among 81 International Studies programs places The University of the South in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $42,390-to-$65,486 earnings arc over five years reflects a 54% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$572K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$609K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$616K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of the South's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where International Studies graduates typically work

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.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering International Studies

How University of the South stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Bentley University
MA · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Top score
American Public University System
WV · Private for-profit
64
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
23.8x
ROI
Ohio State University-Main Campus
OH · Public
45
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
9.7x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Also at University of the South

Other top programs at University of the South

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of the South, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in International Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare International Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about International Studies at University of the South

What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for International Studies at The University of the South?

At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring International Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.