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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #162 of 521

Political Scienceat Lafayette College

Graduates earn $48,112/yr in their first year — about 31.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $692K; scenarios range from $612K to $718K depending on AI disruption.

Easton, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
52 AVERAGE
53
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$48,112
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$692K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Lafayette College

The strong financial outcomes for Lafayette's Political Science and Government graduates speak to the versatility and rigor of its liberal arts foundation. You’re not just memorizing political theory; you're honing critical thinking, persuasive communication, and analytical skills highly sought after in diverse professional fields. Many graduates leverage these abilities in areas like consulting, finance, corporate strategy, and non-profit leadership, often tapping into robust employer pipelines in nearby New York City and Philadelphia. The college's selective nature and dedicated alumni network also play a significant role, providing connections and mentorship that open doors well beyond traditional government roles. These factors explain why your peers are building careers where strategic insight and complex problem-solving are valued. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships that bridge your academic knowledge with practical business or organizational challenges.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$612K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$692K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$718K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Lafayette College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Political Science graduates typically work

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.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Political Science

How Lafayette College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Same state (PA)
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
21.0x
ROI
Also at Lafayette College

Other top programs at Lafayette College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Lafayette College, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at Lafayette College

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at Lafayette College?

A score of 52/100 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 $612,405 in decade earnings vs $717,749 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.