WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-7% vs national median140 grads tracked

International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Colorado Boulder

Ranked 31st of 75 bachelor's programs in International Relations and National Security Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,867
middle 50%: $25,669 – $48,487
Median · 5 years out
$60,304
middle 50%: $38,967 – $87,596
Median · 10 years out
$78,529
middle 50%: $54,365 – $115,337

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for International Relations and National Security Studies (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of Colorado Boulder's bachelor's program in International Relations and National Security Studies earn a median $36,867 one year after graduating, rising to $78,529 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $64,846 for this field, ranking 31st of 75 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,572 total interest

Same major at other universities

City College of New York - CUNY
$62,336 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater College
$61,498 · 5 yrs out
University of Mary Washington
$61,109 · 5 yrs out
Roanoke College
$60,908 · 5 yrs out
Bethel University
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Cortland
$60,342 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$60,238 · 5 yrs out
Agnes Scott College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Wheaton College
$59,550 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$59,517 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at New Paltz
$59,443 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$59,122 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Colorado Boulder

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$179,121 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,413 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,503 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$121,397 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$118,475 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$115,546 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,642 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$111,405 · 5 yrs out
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,066 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out

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