International Relationsat University of California-Riverside
Graduates earn $27,021/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national International Relations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $599K; scenarios range from $546K to $612K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Riverside
The earnings data for this International Relations and National Security Studies program often reflect its unique geographical context. The Inland Empire region, while vibrant, isn't a primary hub for the federal agencies, international organizations, or specialized defense contractors that typically recruit directly from these programs and drive higher salaries. Instead, many graduates find fulfilling roles in local government, non-profits, K-12 education, or general business within Southern California, where the compensation for these foundational skills differs from major policy centers. The program likely offers a strong theoretical foundation, but direct pipelines to the highest-paying federal or international positions may be less established. To maximize your earning potential, actively seek internships in major government or private sector hubs, or consider a complementary minor in data analysis or economics to add a more vocational edge.
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 UC Riverside'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 UC Riverside stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Riverside
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Riverside, 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 UC Riverside
How does University of California-Riverside's International Relations program score?
This program scores 34/100 — 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.
Why are International Relations earnings lower at University of California-Riverside?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Riverside may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.