Home Schools Brigham Young University Political Science
Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #3 of 521

Political Scienceat Brigham Young University

Graduates earn $47,020/yr in their first year — about 28.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $676K; scenarios range from $601K to $700K depending on AI disruption.

Provo, UT Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
70 STRONG
71
Optimistic
65
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,020
1-year post-graduation
ROI
29.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$676K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Brigham Young University

Brigham Young's Political Science and Government program consistently prepares graduates for impactful careers, driven by several unique factors. The institution's famously strong, interconnected alumni network provides an invaluable pipeline into government, law, non-profits, and policy-focused consulting roles, particularly across the Mountain West and in Washington D.C. Your location near Salt Lake City offers direct access to state legislative processes, think tanks, and a growing private sector that values policy acumen. The program's rigor likely emphasizes critical analysis and communication skills, making you highly adaptable. Given the evolving landscape of policy work and its susceptibility to AI disruption, actively seeking internships that immerse you in complex data analysis or strategic communication is crucial. Leverage that powerful alumni community early to identify these practical, skill-building opportunities.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$601K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple23.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$676K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple26.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$700K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple26.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Brigham Young University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Political Science graduates typically work

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.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Political Science

How Brigham Young University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
21.0x
ROI
Also at Brigham Young University

Other top programs at Brigham Young University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Brigham Young 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at Brigham Young University

How does Brigham Young University's Political Science program score?

A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Brigham Young University's Political Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Brigham Young University rank so high for Political Science?

The #3 ranking out of 521 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.