Political Science at Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,912/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.2x earnings multiple (6.1x 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 | $565K | $556K | $511K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.4x | 11.2x | 10.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.2x | 6.1x | 5.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 38 | 37 | 36 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,532
Out-of-state: $90,904 (6.1x ROI)
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,738
100% growth from Year 1
About Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University has a 70% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 3,869 in Chicago, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 54% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois 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
What does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Northeastern Illinois University?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Northeastern Illinois University?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Northeastern Illinois University a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Northeastern Illinois University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →