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International/Global Studies at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,553/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

Job Market Very Small (2,000 openings/yr)

ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #21 of 81 International/Global Studies programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to International/Global Studies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$657K	$649K	$608K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.0x	10.8x	10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.6x	3.5x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	50%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	37	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$59,860

Out-of-state: $182,968 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,300

8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,724

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$65,890

96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Santa Barbara's International/Global Studies program produces graduates earning $33,553/yr — within striking distance of the $34,873 national average for this field.

The 10.8x 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 — 24% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,724 in median debt clears quickly against $33,553 in annual earnings.

Ranked #21 out of 81 programs, University of California-Santa Barbara's International/Global Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $33,553 to $65,890 over five years (96% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Santa Barbara

Admission to University of California-Santa Barbara is competitive, with 28% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 23,205 in Santa Barbara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr

Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other $75,040/yr

View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

International/Global Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Barbara

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 University of California-Santa Barbara's International/Global Studies program score?

This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for International/Global Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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