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Political Science and Government at CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,059/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.6x earnings multiple (9.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 5%

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 $560K $552K $507K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.9x 18.6x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.1x 9.0x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,640
Out-of-state: $61,440 (9.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,928
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,797
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,059 at CUNY Lehman College come in 17% above the national median of $36,684 for Political Science and Government programs.

With a 18.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $43,059 far exceeding the $12,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

CUNY Lehman College ranks #21 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 37% earnings increase from $43,059 to $58,797 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About CUNY Lehman College

A 55% admission rate makes CUNY Lehman College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 10,438 students in Bronx, NY. With 61% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,928 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Lehman College →

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

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Other Majors at CUNY Lehman College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($101,531) Computer Science ($59,516) Information Science/Studies ($50,133) Economics ($44,258) History ($43,874) Accounting and Related Services ($43,728) Philosophy ($43,311) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($42,890)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at CUNY Lehman College?
At 61/100, CUNY Lehman College's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at CUNY Lehman 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 Lehman College one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?
Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, CUNY Lehman College's #21 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Political Science and Government at CUNY Lehman College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,640. At a net cost of $13,928, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →