Home › Georgetown University › Political Science and Government

Political Science and Government at Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $55,247/yr (51% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #88 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 25%

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	$728K	$701K	$619K
Earnings Multiple	2.8x	2.7x	2.4x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	56	55	50

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$260,324

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$157,732

39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,384

3.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$86,431

56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Georgetown University Political Science and Government graduates command $55,247/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,684 national median. That 51% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,384 in median debt clears quickly against $55,247 in annual earnings.

At #88 of 521 nationally, this is a top-5% Political Science and Government program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $86,431 show a 56% jump from the $55,247 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Georgetown University

Only 13% of applicants gain admission to Georgetown University, reflecting elite selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 7,462 in Washington, DC. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,732 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Georgetown 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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Georgetown 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Georgetown University?

A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science and Government field.

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 $619,185 in decade earnings vs $727,946 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Georgetown University's Political Science and Government program stand out?

Ranked #88 of 521 programs nationally, Georgetown University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →