Political Science at Clemson University
Clemson, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,041/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
12.1x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
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 | $784K | $750K | $656K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.6x | 12.1x | 10.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.0x | 4.7x | 4.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 47 | 47 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$62,216
Out-of-state: $157,992 (4.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,888
167% growth from Year 1
About Clemson University
A 38% acceptance rate puts Clemson University in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 22,778 in Clemson, SC.
See all programs and financial aid at Clemson University →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 Clemson University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Clemson University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are Political Science earnings lower at Clemson University?
Lower starting pay at Clemson University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →