Home Schools George Washington University Political Science
Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #109 of 521

Political Scienceat George Washington University

Graduates earn $51,537/yr in their first year — about 40.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $715K; scenarios range from $630K to $745K depending on AI disruption.

Washington, DC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
54 AVERAGE
55
Optimistic
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$51,537
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$715K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at George Washington University

Studying Political Science and Government at George Washington University positions you in a uniquely advantageous ecosystem. Being in the heart of Washington D.C. isn't just a scenic backdrop; it's a direct pipeline to the nation's most influential institutions. This proximity provides unparalleled access to internships on Capitol Hill, within federal agencies like the State Department, at leading think tanks, or with powerful lobbying and consulting firms on K Street.

GWU's program leverages this environment, fostering a curriculum that often emphasizes practical policy analysis, research, and communication skills highly sought after by these D.C.-based employers. Your professors and peers are often deeply embedded in these professional networks, creating a robust pathway into high-impact careers in government, advocacy, international affairs, or strategic consulting. These experiences are invaluable, often leading directly to full-time roles with strong starting compensation. To maximize your prospects, actively seek out multiple internships and build robust professional connections from day one.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$630K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$715K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$745K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to George Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Political Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Political Science

How George Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
21.0x
ROI
Also at George Washington University

Other top programs at George Washington University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at George Washington University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Political Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Political Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at George Washington University

What does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at George Washington University?

At 54/100, George Washington University's Political Science program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at George Washington 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 George Washington University one of the best schools for Political Science?

Among 521 Political Science programs, George Washington University's #109 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.