International Relations at Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,079/yr (37% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #35 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 $701K $678K $607K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,376
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$141,740
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,250
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,548
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Tufts University's International Relations program earn $54,079/yr in their first year — 37% above the $39,530 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 2.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $16,250 in median debt against $54,079 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #35 out of 106 programs, Tufts University's International Relations offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $54,079 to $80,548 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Tufts University

Tufts University admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, serving 6,804 students in Medford, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $141,740 — 48% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Tufts University →

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

Other Majors at Tufts 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

How does Tufts University's International Relations program score?
This program scores 48/100 — 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 →