Political Scienceat Lehigh University
Graduates earn $53,632/yr in their first year — about 46.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $722K; scenarios range from $635K to $752K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Lehigh University
The strong earnings for Lehigh's Political Science and Government graduates aren't just an anomaly; they reflect the program's rigorous analytical focus and the university's robust reputation. You'll develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills highly valued across diverse sectors, from policy analysis and government to consulting and finance. Lehigh's strong alumni network, particularly in nearby Philadelphia and New York City, creates direct pipelines to competitive entry-level roles at major firms, non-profits, and government agencies. This isn't just about political science in a traditional sense; it's about leveraging a versatile humanities background for problem-solving in complex professional environments. Given the potential for AI impact, consider pairing your political science studies with advanced quantitative methods, data analysis, or a strong minor in economics or computer science to maximize your competitive edge and future career resilience.
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 Lehigh 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 Lehigh University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Lehigh University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Lehigh 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 Lehigh University
How does Lehigh University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 56/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Political Science graduates.
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 does Lehigh University rank so high for Political Science?
The #85 ranking out of 521 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.