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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #88 of 521

Political Scienceat Georgetown University

Graduates earn $55,247/yr in their first year — about 51.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $701K; scenarios range from $619K to $728K depending on AI disruption.

Washington, DC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
55 SOLID
56
Optimistic
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$55,247
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$701K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Georgetown University

Your Georgetown Political Science degree benefits immensely from its prime Washington D.C. location and the university's deep-rooted connections. This isn't just a classroom experience; it's direct access to the epicenter of policy, law, and international affairs. You're entering a robust ecosystem with established recruiting pipelines into federal agencies, influential think tanks like Brookings, major government consulting firms, and global NGOs. The strong alumni network across Capitol Hill and advocacy groups further solidifies these pathways, ensuring you're well-positioned for roles in policy analysis, legislative affairs, and international relations right out of the gate.

However, the "Very High" AI risk category highlights a critical point: while strategic thinking remains human, many entry-level research, data synthesis, and administrative tasks in these fields are increasingly susceptible to automation. To truly future-proof your career, actively pursue internships that develop advanced analytical skills, cultivate strong communication and negotiation abilities, and focus on interdisciplinary problem-solving that AI cannot replicate.

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
$619K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$701K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$728K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown University

Other top programs at Georgetown University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Georgetown 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 Georgetown University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science 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 field.

Will AI replace Political Science 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 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.