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Political Science and Government at Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,662/yr (-0% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 2.2x earnings multiple

Ranked #462 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

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	$589K	$578K	$527K
Earnings Multiple	2.3x	2.2x	2.0x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$259,448

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$62,432

76% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,500

5.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$60,366

65% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Grinnell College's Political Science and Government program produces graduates earning $36,662/yr — within striking distance of the $36,684 national average for this field.

At 2.2x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,500 in median debt clears quickly against $36,662 in annual earnings.

A #462 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Grinnell College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $36,662-to-$60,366 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Grinnell College

Only 13% of applicants gain admission to Grinnell College, reflecting elite selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,705 students in Grinnell, IA. The average net cost of $62,432 over four years represents a 76% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Grinnell College →

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 Grinnell College

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

What does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Grinnell College?

At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Grinnell College?

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.

What do students actually pay for Political Science and Government at Grinnell College?

The 76% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,448. At a net cost of $62,432, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

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