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Political Science and Government at Northeastern University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $52,516/yr (43% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #176 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

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	$672K	$651K	$582K
Earnings Multiple	2.7x	2.6x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	52	51	46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$252,564

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$128,464

49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,625

4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$77,836

48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northeastern University Political Science and Government graduates command $52,516/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,684 national median. That 43% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,625 in median debt clears quickly against $52,516 in annual earnings.

At #176 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Northeastern University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $52,516 to $77,836 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northeastern University

Only 6% of applicants gain admission to Northeastern University, reflecting elite selectivity, serving 15,719 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $128,464 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern 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 Northeastern 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Northeastern University?

A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science and Government field.

Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $582,066 in decade earnings vs $672,137 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →