Political Science at Iona University

New Rochelle, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,148/yr (-51% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #499 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

Program Analysis

Iona's Political Science and Government program, while ideally positioned near New York City's diverse opportunities, appears to face challenges in launching graduates into the higher-earning sectors of the field. Many programs with strong early career outcomes for this major benefit from dedicated pipelines to competitive roles in finance, consulting, federal government, or immediately prepare students for law school or graduate programs. Here, graduates might more commonly enter local government, advocacy groups, non-profits, or general administrative roles in the competitive tri-state area. These positions, while valuable, typically don't command the same early-career salaries as those requiring advanced degrees or specific, high-demand skills. To counter this trend, you'll need to proactively build your resume with targeted internships and networking from day one.

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 $350K $367K $368K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 2.0x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$183,520
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,804
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,062
17.2 months of Year 1 earnings

About Iona University

A 91% acceptance rate means Iona University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 2,731 students in New Rochelle, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $111,804 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Iona University →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iona University

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

How does Iona University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Iona University Political Science graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.4x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Political Science earnings lower at Iona University?
Lower starting pay at Iona University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →