International Relations at Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,084/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #81 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 $536K $531K $494K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$175,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,936
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,995
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,084 track close to the $39,530 national median for International Relations programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 3.0x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,250 debt-to-$40,084 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #81 out of 106 programs, Wheaton College's financial outcomes for International Relations trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,084 to $53,995 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Wheaton College

Wheaton College has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 2,087 in Wheaton, IL. The average net cost of $107,936 over four years represents a 39% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Wheaton College →

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 Wheaton College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wheaton College's International Relations program score?
This program scores 34/100 — 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 →