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Political Science and Government at College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,104/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #456 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	$447K	$453K	$433K
Earnings Multiple	2.1x	2.1x	2.0x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	35	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$215,536

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$112,260

48% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

9.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $35,104/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from College of Saint Benedict land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 2.1x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$35,104 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #456 out of 521 programs, College of Saint Benedict's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About College of Saint Benedict

With 91% of applicants admitted, College of Saint Benedict prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 1,392 students in Saint Joseph, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $112,260 — 48% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at College of Saint Benedict →

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

How does College of Saint Benedict's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Political Science and Government to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Political Science and Government 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →