International Relationsat Vassar College
Graduates earn $31,956/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national International Relations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $742K; scenarios range from $656K to $772K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Vassar College
Your Vassar International Relations degree equips you with exceptional critical thinking, research, and analytical writing skills, highly valued in fields beyond just the immediate national security sphere. Many graduates initially pursue roles in non-profits, government agencies, international organizations, or academia, where the mission often outweighs early-career compensation. This path frequently involves further graduate education, delaying higher earning potential while you build specialized expertise.
The high AI risk for this field underscores the importance of complementing your strong analytical foundation with uniquely human capabilities. Focus on developing advanced language proficiency, cross-cultural communication, negotiation, and ethical reasoning skills. Seek out internships in Washington D.C. or New York City with relevant think tanks, NGOs, or government offices to build practical experience and a robust professional network, which is crucial for advancing in this competitive sector.
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 Vassar College'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 Vassar College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Vassar College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Vassar College, 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 Vassar College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Relations at Vassar College?
A score of 31/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Relations. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace International Relations careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $655,702 in decade earnings vs $772,018 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with International Relations from Vassar College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.