Political Scienceat CUNY Lehman College
Graduates earn $43,059/yr in their first year — about 17.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $552K; scenarios range from $507K to $560K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CUNY Lehman College
First-year earnings of $43,059 at CUNY Lehman College come in 17% above the national median of $36,684 for Political Science 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 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 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.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CUNY Lehman College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How CUNY Lehman College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CUNY Lehman College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY Lehman 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 →Frequently asked about Political Science at CUNY Lehman College
What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at CUNY Lehman College?
At 61/100, CUNY Lehman 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 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?
Among 521 Political Science 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 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.