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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #500 of 521

Political Scienceat Denison University

Graduates earn $31,272/yr in their first year — about 15.0% below the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $621K; scenarios range from $559K to $637K depending on AI disruption.

Granville, OH Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,272
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$621K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Denison University

Denison's Political Science program, true to its liberal arts foundation, excels at developing critical thinking, sophisticated writing, and broad analytical skills rather than direct vocational training. This means your initial career path might not immediately align with the highest earning potentials seen in more pre-professional fields. Many graduates find themselves in non-profits, local government, or entry-level analyst roles where the intellectual rigor of a Denison degree is valued, but starting salaries reflect public service or generalist positions. The program's strength lies in preparing you for graduate studies—law school, public policy, or advanced economics—which often unlock the higher-paying careers listed. Given the high AI risk, focusing on developing uniquely human skills like complex negotiation, ethical reasoning, and cross-cultural communication will be crucial for your long-term success.

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
$559K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$621K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$637K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Denison University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Denison University, 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 Denison University

What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Denison University?

At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Denison University?

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.