International Relationsat University of San Diego
Graduates earn $50,948/yr in their first year — about 29.0% above the national International Relations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $604K; scenarios range from $550K to $617K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of San Diego
At $50,948 per year, International Relations graduates from University of San Diego significantly outpace the $39,530 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.
An earnings multiple of 2.7x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $24,100 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #49 out of 106 programs, University of San Diego's International Relations offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $50,948 to $68,437 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
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 University of San Diego'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 University of San Diego stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of San Diego
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of San Diego, 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 University of San Diego
How does University of San Diego's International Relations program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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.