Political Science at Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,326
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,716
115% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at Eastern Illinois University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
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 at Eastern Illinois University?
At 44/100, 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 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 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 →