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Political Science and Government at Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,721/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (9.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #309 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 $640K $623K $561K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.6x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.1x 9.8x 8.8x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,612
Out-of-state: $63,516 (9.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,372
-5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,326
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,716
115% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,721 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn below the $36,684 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 11.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% 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.

At $20,326 against $28,721/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #309 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Eastern Illinois University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $28,721-to-$61,716 earnings arc over five years reflects a 115% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 4,398 students in Charleston, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Illinois University →

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 Eastern Illinois University

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($58,817) Finance and Financial Management Services ($51,370) Accounting and Related Services ($48,070) Marketing ($46,844) Special Education and Teaching ($43,955) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($42,500) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($42,284) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,582)

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 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Eastern Illinois University?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Eastern Illinois 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.
Is Eastern Illinois University a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Eastern Illinois University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →