Political Science and Government at Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,012/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 13.7x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #336 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $524K $520K $484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.8x 13.7x 12.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,024
Out-of-state: $116,168 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,396
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,875
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,519
60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,012 place Middle Tennessee State University below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 13.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,875 debt-to-$31,012 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #336 out of 521 programs, Middle Tennessee State University's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $31,012 to $49,519 over five years (60% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Middle Tennessee State University

A 68% admission rate makes Middle Tennessee State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 16,115 students in Murfreesboro, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Middle Tennessee State 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 and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Middle Tennessee State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Middle Tennessee State University's Political Science and Government program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Political Science and Government to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science and Government 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 and Government earnings lower at Middle Tennessee State University?
Lower starting pay at Middle Tennessee State 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 →