Political Scienceat Bellarmine University
Graduates earn $25,424/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $547K; scenarios range from $503K to $554K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Bellarmine University
Studying Political Science and Government at Bellarmine offers a broad, liberal arts foundation, but translating that directly into high-earning careers post-graduation can be challenging in the Louisville market. The program likely emphasizes critical thinking and theory, which are valuable, but may not provide the specific vocational skills (like advanced data analytics or policy modeling) that employers often seek in a competitive landscape, especially outside major political hubs. Many graduates find themselves in general administrative, sales, or non-profit roles, or realize an advanced degree – such as law school or a master's in public policy – is crucial to access the higher-paying positions listed. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue internships that provide tangible skills and network extensively within specific sectors you're interested in, even if it means looking beyond Kentucky.
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 Bellarmine 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 Bellarmine University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Bellarmine University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Bellarmine 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 Bellarmine University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at Bellarmine University?
A score of 24/100 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 $503,348 in decade earnings vs $553,788 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science 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?
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.