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Political Science and Government at Brown University

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $54,634/yr (49% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #136 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

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	$704K	$679K	$603K
Earnings Multiple	2.6x	2.5x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	53	48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$272,920

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$106,288

61% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,481

3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$82,914

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $54,634 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Brown University significantly outpace the $36,684 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

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.

The median debt load of $14,481 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #136 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Brown University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $82,914 show a 52% jump from the $54,634 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Brown University

With just 5% of applicants admitted, Brown University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving 7,273 students in Providence, RI. The average net cost of $106,288 over four years represents a 61% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Brown 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 Brown University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Brown University?

A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science and Government field.

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 $602,940 in decade earnings vs $703,517 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Brown University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?

After financial aid, the average student pays $106,288 over four years — 61% below the $272,920 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 →