International Relationsat Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Graduates earn $44,638/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national International Relations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $660K; scenarios range from $593K to $681K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's International Relations and National Security Studies program stands out due to its strategic location and the university's strong institutional reputation. Being in Virginia places you squarely within a prime recruiting ground for the national security sector. This proximity to federal agencies, defense contractors, and policy think tanks, particularly around the D.C. metro area, creates direct pipelines for graduates into government service, intelligence, and private sector defense work.
Employers frequently target Virginia Tech for its rigorous analytical training, meaning your degree is recognized by organizations like the Department of Defense, State Department, various intelligence agencies, and major defense firms. The program likely emphasizes critical thinking and policy analysis, skills highly valued in political science and management roles. To truly leverage this, focus heavily on internships within these sectors and cultivate robust communication and analytical abilities, as these are irreplaceable in navigating complex global challenges.
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 Virginia Tech'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 Virginia Tech stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Virginia Tech
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Virginia Tech, 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 Virginia Tech
What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for International Relations at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
At 57/100, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's International Relations program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study International Relations at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.