International Relations at Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
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
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
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,995
35% growth from Year 1
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
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 →