Political Science at Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,454/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
19.0x earnings multiple (6.4x 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 | $421K | $429K | $415K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.7x | 19.0x | 18.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.3x | 6.4x | 6.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 42 | 42 | 40 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$22,532
Out-of-state: $67,244 (6.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,035
10.3 months of Year 1 earnings
About Fort Hays State University
With 92% of applicants admitted, Fort Hays State University prioritizes broad access, serving 9,792 students in Hays, KS.
See all programs and financial aid at Fort Hays State 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 Fort Hays State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Fort Hays State University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 42/100 — 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.
Why are Political Science earnings lower at Fort Hays State University?
Lower starting pay at Fort Hays State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →