Political Science at Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,875
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,519
60% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Political Science 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 program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 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 →