Political Science at Carleton College
Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,858/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
1.6x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $417K | $426K | $413K |
| Earnings Multiple | 1.6x | 1.6x | 1.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 30 | 30 | 28 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$261,828
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,700
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
About Carleton College
A 22% acceptance rate puts Carleton College in competitive admissions territory, a compact campus enrolling 2,019 students in Northfield, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $109,280 — 58% less than the list price.
See all programs and financial aid at Carleton College →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at Carleton College
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Carleton College?
At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Carleton College?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Carleton College a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Carleton College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Political Science at Carleton College?
The 58% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $261,828. At a net cost of $109,280, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →