Political Science at CUNY City College
New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,823/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
21.8x earnings multiple (10.4x 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 | $658K | $639K | $573K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 22.4x | 21.8x | 19.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 10.8x | 10.4x | 9.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 53 | 52 | 51 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (10.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,399
116% growth from Year 1
About CUNY City College
With a 58% acceptance rate, CUNY City College is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 11,934 in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City College →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 CUNY City College
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 does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at CUNY City College?
At 52/100, CUNY City College's Political Science program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at CUNY City College?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is CUNY City College a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY City College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Political Science at CUNY City College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →