Political Science at Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,375
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,974
114% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Political Science 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 at Cleveland State University?
A score of 40/100 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 $535,494 in decade earnings vs $602,117 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science 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 →