Political Science and Government at Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,204/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #396 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

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 $602K $589K $535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.7x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.2x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,452
Out-of-state: $71,892 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,260
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,375
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,974
114% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Cleveland State University's Political Science and Government graduates start at $26,204/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 29%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.7x 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.

Median debt of $20,375 represents roughly 9 months of the $26,204 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #396 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Cleveland State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $55,974 show a 114% jump from the $26,204 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Cleveland State University

A 95% acceptance rate means Cleveland State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 9,077 students in Cleveland, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Cleveland State 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

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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 Cleveland State University?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $535,494 in decade earnings vs $602,117 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science and Government from Cleveland 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →