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Social Sciences · International Relations Rank #11 of 106

International Relationsat William & Mary

Graduates earn $47,270/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national International Relations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $709K; scenarios range from $631K to $736K depending on AI disruption.

Williamsburg, VA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
55 SOLID
56
Optimistic
52
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,270
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$709K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at William & Mary

First-year earnings of $47,270 at William & Mary come in 20% above the national median of $39,530 for International Relations programs.

A 7.1x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some International Relations career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $47,270 far exceeding the $20,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #11 of 106 programs, this International Relations program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $47,270-to-$81,921 earnings arc over five years reflects a 73% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$631K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple6.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$709K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple7.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$736K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple7.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to William & Mary's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where International Relations graduates typically work

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.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering International Relations

How William & Mary stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Bucknell University
PA · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Top score
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
4.1x
ROI
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
CA · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
Middlebury College
VT · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
3.4x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
55
DW Score
$66K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Also at William & Mary

Other top programs at William & Mary

Other highest-scoring programs offered at William & Mary, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about International Relations at William & Mary

What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for International Relations at William & Mary?

At 55/100, William & Mary'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 William & Mary?

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.