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Political Science and Government at Hamilton College

Clinton, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,807/yr (60% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #114 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 $678K $656K $586K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$262,960
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$113,256
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,732
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $58,807 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Hamilton College significantly outpace the $36,684 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 14% 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.

The median debt load of $12,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Hamilton College ranks #114 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 37% earnings increase from $58,807 to $80,732 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Hamilton College

With just 12% of applicants admitted, Hamilton College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a compact campus enrolling 2,045 students in Clinton, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $113,256 over four years — 57% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hamilton 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

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Other Majors at Hamilton College

Economics ($71,350) Public Policy Analysis ($56,158) Mathematics ($53,698) International Relations and National Security Studies ($45,332) Biology, General ($43,639) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($41,946) Research and Experimental Psychology ($39,880) Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($28,442)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Hamilton College?
At 54/100, Hamilton College's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Hamilton 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.
Is Hamilton College one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?
Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, Hamilton College's #114 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Political Science and Government at Hamilton College?
The 57% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $262,960. At a net cost of $113,256, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →