International Relations · Boston University
How much do Boston University International Relations graduates earn?
Boston University's bachelor's graduates in International Relations and National Security Studies earned a median $66,661 four years after graduating, about the same as the $66,596 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $45,870; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $23,394 in federal loans at this college (about $248 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $25,000 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- Median earnings, 4 years after:
- $66,661
- National median, same program:
- $66,596
- Federal debt borrowed at this college (median):
- $23,394
- Monthly payment, 10-year plan:
- $248
Boston University, bachelor's in International Relations. Earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, earnings measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Debt: graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20; total including other colleges attended $25,000. College Scorecard, 10 June 2026.
Quick answers
- What do International Relations graduates of Boston University earn?
- Boston University's bachelor's graduates in International Relations earned a median $66,661 four years after graduating (College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23).
- How much federal debt do International Relations graduates of Boston University have?
- Graduates who borrowed took out a median $23,394 in federal loans at Boston University (College Scorecard, graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20); counting federal loans from every college they attended at the same degree level, their total was $25,000.
- How does Boston University compare with the national median for International Relations?
- $66,661 is about the same as the $66,596 national median for bachelor's programs in the same field (College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23).
- How does Boston University compare with other International Relations programs in the New England states?
- It is about the same as the $68,004 earned by graduates of the typical New England bachelor's program in the field (5 programs, College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23).
- Is a International Relations degree from Boston University worth it?
- Federal data cannot decide that for you, but it puts the figures side by side: Boston University's bachelor's graduates in International Relations earned a median $66,661 four years after graduating (College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23), and those who borrowed took out a median $23,394 in federal loans there, about $248 a month on a 10-year plan, roughly 4% of the median graduate's monthly earnings before tax (College Scorecard, graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20).
International Relations at Boston University, by credential
2 credential levels have federal figures, largest graduating classes first. Federal program group: International Relations and National Security Studies (CIP 45.09), which includes its related specialties.
| Credential | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings, 1 yr after | Earnings, 4 yrs after | vs national | Debt borrowed at this college | Total debt incl. other colleges | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 422 | $45,870 | $66,661 | about the same | $23,394 | $25,000 | $248/mo |
| Master's | 97 | $51,374 | $81,518 | −15% | $86,165 | — | $980/mo |
The one-year and four-year figures describe different graduating classes (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21 and 2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23) in different dollars, so the gap between them is not one class's pay growth. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure because too few graduates were measured.
What the two debt figures mean
Federal debt borrowed at this college: the median of the federal loans (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS) that graduates who borrowed took out at this college.
Total federal debt, including other colleges attended: the same graduates' federal loans from every college they attended, counting only loans at the same level as this credential (undergraduate loans for an undergraduate credential, graduate loans for a graduate one).
Neither figure includes Parent PLUS loans, private loans or accrued interest. The two differ most for transfer students and for degree-completion programs such as RN-to-BSN. Monthly payment is for the debt borrowed at this college. Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study data documentation (September 2025), "Cumulative loan debt".
Cite this data
- Statistic
- Boston University's bachelor's graduates in International Relations earned a median $66,661 four years after graduating, against a national median of $66,596 for the same program and credential.
- Data period
- Graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19 who received federal aid, worked and were not enrolled; earnings measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars (141 graduates measured).
- Source
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field-of-study data (release of 10 June 2026)
- Page
- https://campuspin.com/schools/boston-university/programs/international-relations
- Suggested citation
- CampusPin (2026). Boston University International Relations: graduate earnings and debt. Data: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field of study, 10 June 2026. https://campuspin.com/schools/boston-university/programs/international-relations
Or paste these figures into your page as a small table (departments, admissions, counselors)
Plain HTML with no script and no tracking: each credential's figure with its period and source, and one link back to this page.
How does Boston University compare with International Relations programs in the New England states?
Massachusetts has fewer than 3 bachelor's programs in International Relations with a federal earnings figure, so the comparison is regional. Across the 5 such programs in the New England states (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT), the typical program's graduates earned $68,004; Boston University's $66,661 is about the same as that (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard).
The typical program is the median across every program in the region with at least 30 graduates in the earnings cohort (U.S. Census Bureau division). One federal measure, not a ranking of program quality.
Compare International Relations programs and share the result
What the new federal loan limits mean for this graduate program
For loans first disbursed on or after 1 July 2026, new graduate borrowers can take at most $20,500 a year and $100,000 in total in federal loans, or $50,000 and $200,000 in programs the Department treats as professional (Federal Student Aid, May 2026). Boston University's master's graduates in International Relations borrowed a median $86,165 under the old rules. Which graduate programs' typical debt is over the new caps.
Questions about International Relations at Boston University
- How much do Boston University International Relations graduates earn?
- Boston University's bachelor's graduates in International Relations and National Security Studies earned a median $66,661 four years after graduating, about the same as the $66,596 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $45,870; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $23,394 in federal loans at this college (about $248 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $25,000 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- How much student debt do Boston University International Relations graduates have?
- Boston University's bachelor's graduates in International Relations who borrowed took out a median $23,394 in federal loans at Boston University, about $248 a month on a standard 10-year plan (graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20, College Scorecard). Counting federal loans from every college they attended at the same degree level, their total was a median $25,000; the difference is loans taken at earlier colleges, which matters most for transfer and RN-to-BSN students. Neither figure includes Parent PLUS loans, private loans or accrued interest. The two differ most for transfer students and for degree-completion programs such as RN-to-BSN.
- How does Boston University's International Relations program compare with others in the New England states?
- Massachusetts has fewer than 3 bachelor's programs in International Relations with a federal earnings figure, so the comparison is regional. Across the 5 such programs in the New England states (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT), the typical program's graduates earned $68,004; Boston University's $66,661 is about the same as that (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard).
- Which International Relations degree at Boston University pays more?
- Median earnings four years after graduating, by credential: bachelor's $66,661; master's $81,518 (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). Each figure describes a different group of graduates, so the gap reflects who enrolls and the jobs each credential leads to, not only the credential.
Keep going
- Boston University: cost, admissions and every program
- International Relations major guide: what it pays nationally
- Same degree, different paycheck: how much the college matters
- What does International Relations pay at other colleges?
Other programs at Boston University with graduate earnings
- Communications
- Journalism
- Computer Science
- Education
- Special Education
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- English & Literature
- Biology
- Neuroscience
- Mathematics
- Theology
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Economics
- Political Science
- Theater Arts
- Music
- Health Sciences
- Public Health
- Business Administration
- Hospitality Management
Median earnings of graduates who received federal student aid, worked, and were not enrolled in school; debt is the median federal loans borrowed at this college by graduates who borrowed (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS; not Parent PLUS, private loans or interest). Programs with too few graduates are suppressed by the Department of Education. Earnings reflect who enrolls, where graduates live and the jobs they take, as well as the program itself. Download every program (CSV).
Data sources & methodology
Figures on this page come from the Department of Education's College Scorecard field-of-study file, matched to Boston University by its federal UNITID.
Sources used across this page
Not every source informs every figure. Each data point draws on the source appropriate to it see the relevant section and the data dictionary for field-level provenance.
Program-level median earnings one and four years after completing, and median federal loan debt at completion, by institution, 4-digit CIP field and credential level.
College Scorecard, Field of Study data documentation
How the field-of-study cohorts are built, which graduates are counted, and how small cells are suppressed and perturbed for privacy.
Where a value is unavailable it is shown as unavailable, never as 0, free, or a negative judgment. Always confirm final details with the institution before applying.
Suggested citation
CampusPin. (10 June 2026). Boston University International Relations: graduate earnings and debt. Retrieved from https://campuspin.com/schools/boston-university/programs/international-relations