Political Science and Government at Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,992/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #22 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 5%

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 $612K $598K $542K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 11.9x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.0x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,280
Out-of-state: $149,480 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$84,008
-67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,250
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,788
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $44,992 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $20,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #22 of 521 nationally, this is a top-5% Political Science and Government program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $44,992 to $66,788 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Citadel Military College of South Carolina

With 98% of applicants admitted, Citadel Military College of South Carolina prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,624 students in Charleston, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Citadel Military College of South Carolina →

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

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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
A score of 61/100 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 $541,932 in decade earnings vs $611,800 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Citadel Military College of South Carolina's Political Science and Government program stand out?
Ranked #22 of 521 programs nationally, Citadel Military College of South Carolina lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →