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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #77 of 521

Political Scienceat Colby College

Graduates earn $54,353/yr in their first year — about 48.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $742K; scenarios range from $651K to $775K depending on AI disruption.

Waterville, ME Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$54,353
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$742K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Colby College

Your Colby Political Science and Government degree offers a powerful foundation, not just for traditional government roles but for diverse professional paths. The program's rigorous liberal arts approach cultivates exceptional critical thinking, research, and communication skills, highly valued in fields like consulting, finance, and law. This broad applicability, coupled with Colby's national reputation and extensive alumni network, helps graduates secure strong initial placements and accelerate their career growth beyond Maine. Many leverage these skills for advanced degrees in law or public policy, further boosting earning potential.

However, the field's increasing reliance on data analysis and policy research means many entry-level tasks are susceptible to AI. To thrive, you'll need to proactively integrate quantitative skills or tech literacy into your studies, focusing on higher-order strategic thinking and interpersonal leadership that AI cannot replicate. Seek out internships that build these complementary competencies.

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
$651K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$742K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$775K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Colby College'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 Colby College 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 Colby College

Other top programs at Colby College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colby College, 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 Colby College

How does Colby College's Political Science program score?

This program scores 56/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Political Science graduates.

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 does Colby College rank so high for Political Science?

The #77 ranking out of 521 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

How affordable is Political Science at Colby College after financial aid?

Sticker price is $266,400, but the average net cost is $95,756 — a 64% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.