Political Scienceat James Madison University
Graduates earn $42,128/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $617K; scenarios range from $556K to $633K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at James Madison University
At $42,128 per year, Political Science graduates from James Madison University earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Political Science's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $19,286 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #44 of 521 programs, James Madison University's Political Science program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Five-year earnings of $68,443 show a 62% jump from the $42,128 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 James Madison University'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 James Madison University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at James Madison University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at James Madison University, 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 James Madison University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at James Madison University?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science field.
Will AI replace Political Science careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $555,913 in decade earnings vs $632,816 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.