Political Science and Government at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,899/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #281 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 $503K $502K $470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.4x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 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)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,324
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,899/yr, roughly in line with the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $35,899 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #281 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Eastern Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $35,899 to $48,324 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 11,674 in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Eastern Kentucky University?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $469,508 in decade earnings vs $502,911 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →