Political Science vs Intl Relations

At many universities, international relations is a subfield within the political science department. At others, it is a standalone major with its own faculty and curriculum. This structural difference matters because it affects how much specialization you get and how employers perceive the degree.

The core difference is scope. A political science major studies American government, comparative politics, political theory, and public policy. An international relations major studies global security, international economics, diplomacy, and transnational issues like climate change and human rights. Political science answers "how does government work?" International relations answers "how do countries work together, and why do they fight?"

At a Glance

Coursework Differences

Political science coursework:

• American government and politics
• Comparative politics (studying different government systems)
• Political theory (classic to contemporary political philosophy)
• Public policy analysis
• Constitutional law and civil liberties
• Research methods in political science (surveys, data analysis)
• State and local government
• Elections and voting behavior

Political science gives you a comprehensive view of how political systems function. The curriculum is balanced between domestic politics, comparative systems, and political theory. Research methods courses teach you to analyze political data, conduct surveys, and evaluate policy outcomes.

International relations coursework:

• International security and conflict
• International political economy
• Global governance and international organizations (UN, WTO, NATO)
• Diplomacy and negotiation
• Regional studies (Middle East, East Asia, Latin America, etc.)
• Foreign language (typically 2-4 semesters required)
• Development economics and global inequality
• International law and human rights

IR programs are more interdisciplinary than political science programs. You draw from economics, history, geography, and cultural studies in addition to political science. The foreign language requirement reflects the expectation that IR graduates will work in international contexts. Many IR programs also require or strongly encourage study abroad.

Career Path Differences

Political science careers:

• Congressional aide or legislative analyst ($40,000-$60,000 starting)
• Campaign manager or political consultant ($40,000-$80,000)
• Government affairs/lobbyist ($50,000-$100,000+)
• Policy analyst at think tanks ($50,000-$70,000 starting)
• City/county/state government administrator ($45,000-$70,000 starting)
• Attorney (with law school) (varies widely)
• Political journalist (varies widely)

International relations careers:

• Foreign Service Officer/diplomat ($55,000-$75,000 starting + benefits)
• International development professional ($45,000-$65,000 starting)
• Intelligence analyst ($60,000-$80,000 starting at federal agencies)
• International nonprofit program manager ($45,000-$65,000)
• International business analyst ($55,000-$75,000)
• Humanitarian aid worker ($40,000-$65,000)
• International trade specialist ($55,000-$75,000)

Both fields share a common limitation at the bachelor's level: starting salaries in government and nonprofit work are modest. The highest-paying paths in both fields require either graduate degrees (MPP, JD, MA in international affairs) or private sector transitions (lobbying, consulting, international business).

Salary Comparison

Salary comparisons between political science and IR are difficult because both lead to diverse careers with wide salary ranges. The BLS category "political scientists" reports a median of $132,350, but this represents senior researchers at think tanks and government agencies, most of whom hold PhDs¹.

At the bachelor's level, starting salaries for both majors cluster around $40,000-$55,000 for government and nonprofit roles. Private sector roles (consulting, corporate government affairs, international business) start higher at $50,000-$70,000.

The salary trajectory in both fields rewards graduate education. An MPP (Master in Public Policy) or MIA (Master in International Affairs) from a top program typically adds $10,000-$20,000 to starting salary and opens access to senior positions. A JD adds access to legal careers. A PhD opens academic and senior research positions.

Which Is Right for You?

Choose political science if:

• You are interested in American government, elections, and domestic policy
• You want a broad political education that covers theory, systems, and policy
• You are considering law school (poli sci is one of the top pre-law majors)
• You want to work in campaigns, government, or state/local politics
• You prefer to keep your career options broad rather than specializing early

Choose international relations if:

• You are fascinated by global issues: security, diplomacy, trade, development
• You want to learn a foreign language and study abroad
• You are targeting careers in the Foreign Service, international organizations, or NGOs
• You are interested in intelligence, global security, or international business
• You want a more interdisciplinary education that connects politics, economics, and culture

For more on each degree, see our political science degree guide and international relations degree guide. For career details, see political science careers and international relations careers. Students comparing political science to history should read our history vs political science comparison. Our guide on how to choose a major covers the broader framework.

FAQ

Can I do international relations work with a political science degree?

Yes. Political science programs typically include comparative politics and international politics courses that provide relevant background. Many IR careers accept political science degrees, particularly when combined with language skills, study abroad, and relevant internships. The reverse is also true: IR graduates can work in domestic politics and policy.

Which is better for law school?

Both are excellent pre-law majors. Political science students take courses in constitutional law, civil liberties, and legal reasoning that provide direct preparation. IR students develop skills in research, argumentation, and policy analysis that also serve well in law school. Law schools do not prefer one over the other. Your GPA and LSAT score matter far more than your specific major.

Do I need to speak a foreign language for international relations?

Most IR programs require two to four semesters of a foreign language. For careers in diplomacy, intelligence, and international organizations, language proficiency is a significant advantage and sometimes a requirement. For domestic careers that use IR skills (policy analysis, corporate international strategy), language skills are valuable but not always essential.

What graduate degrees complement these majors?

For political science: JD (law), MPP (public policy), MA in political science, PhD for academic careers. For international relations: MIA (international affairs), MALD (law and diplomacy), MBA with international focus, MA in security studies. Both majors also work well as preparation for MBA programs, particularly for students interested in management consulting or corporate strategy.

Is political science or IR more marketable?

Neither has a significant marketability advantage over the other. Both face the same challenge: government and nonprofit salaries are modest, and the most rewarding careers typically require graduate education. The marketability depends more on your internship experience, language skills, analytical abilities, and professional network than on which of these two majors appears on your diploma.

Can I double major in political science and international relations?

At schools where IR is a subfield within political science, this may not be possible because of course overlap. At schools where they are separate departments, a double major is often feasible with careful course planning. Consider whether a double major adds enough value over a single major with electives from the other field.

Related degree guides:

• Political Science Degree Guide — Overview, coursework, careers
• International Relations Degree Guide — Overview, coursework, careers
• Political Science Careers — Career paths and job data
• International Relations Careers — Career paths and job data