Political Science and Government at Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
24
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,424/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #518 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 $554K $547K $503K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 24 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$188,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,348
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,226
11.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,223
98% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Bellarmine University's Political Science and Government graduates start at $25,424/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 31%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

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 $25,226 represents roughly 12 months of the $25,424 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #518 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Bellarmine University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $50,223 show a 98% jump from the $25,424 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Bellarmine University

A 94% acceptance rate means Bellarmine University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,286 students in Louisville, KY. The average net cost of $94,348 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bellarmine University →

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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bellarmine University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Bellarmine University?
A score of 24/100 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 $503,348 in decade earnings vs $553,788 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science and Government from Bellarmine University?
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.
Is Bellarmine University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?
After financial aid, the average student pays $94,348 over four years — 50% below the $188,720 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →