International Studies at University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International/Global Studies

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,892/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 8.5x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$560K	$556K	$525K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.5x	8.5x	8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.3x	3.3x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	50%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	37

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,720

Out-of-state: $167,772 (3.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,920

-31% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,340

6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,974

62% growth from Year 1

With 83% of applicants admitted, University of Colorado Boulder prioritizes broad access, with 31,578 students enrolled in Boulder, CO.

Political scientists $139,380/yr

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

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.

How does University of Colorado Boulder's International Studies program score?

This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for International 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 →