Political Scienceat Austin College
Graduates earn $23,243/yr in their first year — about 37.0% below the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $539K; scenarios range from $497K to $545K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Austin College
Considering Austin College's Political Science and Government program, it's crucial to understand the regional labor market dynamics impacting your career launch. Located in Sherman, you're not in a major political or policy center, which means access to high-impact internships and entry-level roles in government, advocacy, or law firms can be more challenging than for peers in larger cities. The career paths often require advanced degrees (like law school or a Ph.D. for "political scientists") or necessitate relocation to competitive metropolitan areas.
Your degree's high AI risk highlights that many entry-level analytical and research tasks are increasingly automated. To succeed, you must intentionally cultivate uniquely human skills: critical thinking, complex communication, ethical reasoning, and networking. Don't just study theory; actively pursue internships that provide practical experience and build your professional network beyond the immediate area. Consider a minor or dual major in a more quantitative or vocational field to enhance your marketability.
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 Austin 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 Austin College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Austin College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Austin 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 Austin College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at Austin College?
A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science 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 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.