Political Scienceat Amherst College
Graduates earn $61,125/yr in their first year — about 67.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $668K; scenarios range from $594K to $691K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Amherst College
Amherst's Political Science program, from such a highly selective institution, equips you with versatile analytical, research, and communication skills prized across numerous sectors. Your strong outcomes aren't solely due to direct political science roles, but rather the robust pipeline into competitive fields like management consulting, finance, law, or policy analysis within think tanks and government agencies. The college's rigorous curriculum and extensive national alumni network open doors to firms and organizations that value broad intellectual capabilities over narrow technical training. While the "Political Scientist" job title itself faces high AI risk, your education prepares you for adaptive, complex roles where human judgment, critical thinking, and persuasive communication remain paramount. To truly capitalize, actively seek internships that build practical skills in data analysis, project management, or strategic communication, positioning yourself for maximum adaptability in a dynamic job market.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Amherst College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How Amherst College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Amherst College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Amherst College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Political Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Political Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Political Science at Amherst College
What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Amherst College?
At 55/100, Amherst College's Political Science program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Amherst College?
The 50% 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.
Is Amherst College one of the best schools for Political Science?
Among 521 Political Science programs, Amherst College's #91 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Political Science at Amherst College?
The 73% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $269,120. At a net cost of $72,984, the earnings multiple improves substantially.