Political Science at Elon University
Elon, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
46
Optimistic
46
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,836/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
3.6x earnings multiple
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 | $664K | $644K | $576K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.7x | 3.6x | 3.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 46 | 46 | 42 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$178,144
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,667
82% growth from Year 1
About Elon University
Elon University accepts 67% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 6,402 students in Elon, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at Elon 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
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Explore the Trade Alternative
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
How does Elon University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →