Political Scienceat Augustana University
Graduates earn $46,646/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $509K; scenarios range from $475K to $511K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Augustana University
First-year earnings of $46,646 put Augustana University's Political Science program 27% above the national median of $36,684 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
The 3.2x 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 $26,625 debt-to-$46,646 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #335 out of 521 programs, Augustana University's financial outcomes for Political Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $46,646 to $52,014 over five years (12% 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 Augustana 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 Augustana University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Augustana University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Augustana 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 Augustana University
How does Augustana University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 43/100 — 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.