Political Science at Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
46
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,617/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
16.9x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $574K | $564K | $517K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 17.2x | 16.9x | 15.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.2x | 5.1x | 4.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 46 | 46 | 44 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,424
Out-of-state: $109,864 (5.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,401
90% growth from Year 1
About Idaho State University
with a mid-sized student body of 7,260 in Pocatello, ID.
See all programs and financial aid at Idaho State University →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at Idaho State 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 does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Idaho State University?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Idaho State 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 Idaho State University a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Idaho State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →