Political Science and Government at Austin College

Sherman, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,243/yr (-37% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #521 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $545K $539K $497K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$186,000
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$93,804
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,947
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,828
106% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,243 place Austin College below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,947 represents roughly 11 months of the $23,243 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #521 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Austin College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $47,828 show a 106% jump from the $23,243 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Austin College

A 47% admission rate makes Austin College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 1,125 students in Sherman, TX. The average net cost of $93,804 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Austin College →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Austin College?
A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $497,351 in decade earnings vs $544,771 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science and Government from Austin College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →