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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #414 of 521

Political Scienceat Central Connecticut State University

Graduates earn $25,270/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $578K; scenarios range from $527K to $589K depending on AI disruption.

New Britain, CT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
39
Optimistic
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,270
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$578K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Central Connecticut State University

Your earnings outlook for Political Science and Government at Central Connecticut State University highlights a common reality: while the major provides strong analytical and critical thinking skills, many initial roles for graduates tend to be in local or state government, non-profit advocacy, or administrative support within the regional labor market. These positions, particularly in Connecticut, often have more modest starting salaries compared to private sector roles or those requiring advanced degrees.

The program likely focuses on preparing students for public service or further academic pursuits rather than direct, high-paying corporate pipelines. Many graduates find themselves in roles that are foundational, requiring additional experience or graduate education (like law school or public administration programs) to reach the higher salary benchmarks sometimes associated with this field. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue internships with state agencies, campaigns, or non-profits during your studies and consider pairing your degree with a minor in economics, data analysis, or a pre-professional track.

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
$527K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$578K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple11.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$589K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple11.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Central Connecticut State 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 Central Connecticut State 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 Central Connecticut State University

Other top programs at Central Connecticut State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Central Connecticut State 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 Central Connecticut State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at Central Connecticut State University?

A score of 38/100 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 $526,590 in decade earnings vs $588,734 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Political Science from Central Connecticut State 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.