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
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
42
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,875
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,763
66% growth from Year 1
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
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 →