Political Science at Mount St. Mary's University
Emmitsburg, MD · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,800/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
2.3x earnings multiple
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 | $417K | $426K | $412K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.2x | 2.3x | 2.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 30 | 30 | 29 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$188,960
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$39,241
32% growth from Year 1
About Mount St. Mary's University
With 72% of applicants admitted, Mount St. Mary's University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 1,806 students in Emmitsburg, MD. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $99,948 — 47% less than the list price.
See all programs and financial aid at Mount St. Mary's 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
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Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at Mount St. Mary's University?
A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $412,358 in decade earnings vs $416,990 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science from Mount St. Mary's University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →