Political Science and Government at Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,770/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #282 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 $680K $658K $587K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,784
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$135,540
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,333
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,110
72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Brandeis University's Political Science and Government graduates start at $43,770/yr — above the $36,684 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,333 represents roughly 6 months of the $43,770 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #282 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Brandeis University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $75,110 show a 72% jump from the $43,770 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Brandeis University

Admission to Brandeis University is competitive, with 35% of applicants accepted, with a smaller student body of 3,663 in Waltham, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $135,540 — 48% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Brandeis 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

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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 Brandeis University?
A score of 46/100 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 $586,964 in decade earnings vs $679,500 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →