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International Relations at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,612/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)

ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #60 of 106 International Relations programs

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	$568K	$560K	$516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.2x	11.0x	10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.0x	3.7x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	48%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	41	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,752

Out-of-state: $139,736 (4.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,128

-93% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,875

6.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,763

66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,612/yr, International Relations graduates from University of South Carolina-Columbia land near the $39,530 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 11.0x 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 — 47% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,875 debt-to-$33,612 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #60 out of 106 programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia's financial outcomes for International Relations trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $33,612 to $55,763 over five years (66% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts 61% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia →

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 University of South Carolina-Columbia

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 South Carolina-Columbia's International Relations program score?

This program scores 41/100 — 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 →