Political Scienceat Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
Graduates earn $40,730/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $497K; scenarios range from $466K to $497K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at IUP
At $40,730 per year, Political Science graduates from Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
With a 10.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $27,000 against $40,730/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #215 ranking among 521 Political Science programs places Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The limited growth from $40,730 to $48,648 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to IUP's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How IUP stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at IUP
Other highest-scoring programs offered at IUP, 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 →Frequently asked about Political Science at IUP
What does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus?
At 49/100, 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus?
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.