Political Scienceat Ashland University
Graduates earn $44,455/yr in their first year — about 21.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $505K; scenarios range from $472K to $506K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Ashland University
At $44,455 per year, Political Science graduates from Ashland University earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 4.4x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.
AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $26,048 debt-to-$44,455 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #320 out of 521 programs, Ashland University's financial outcomes for Political Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $44,455 to $50,903 over five years (15% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
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 Ashland University'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 Ashland University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Ashland University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Ashland University, 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 Ashland University
How does Ashland University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.