Political Scienceat Northeastern University
Graduates earn $52,516/yr in their first year — about 43.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $651K; scenarios range from $582K to $672K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Northeastern University
Studying Political Science and Government at Northeastern places you in a vibrant hub for policy, law, and non-profits, directly impacting your career trajectory. The university's signature co-op program is a major driver of your early-career success, ensuring you graduate with invaluable professional experience from organizations across Boston and beyond. This practical exposure, combined with Northeastern's strong alumni network, funnels graduates into diverse roles in government, consulting, advocacy, and even business, where critical thinking and communication skills are highly valued.
While the field faces "Very High" AI risk, this primarily impacts routine analytical tasks. Your advantage lies in developing uniquely human skills: strategic policy development, complex negotiation, ethical reasoning, and leadership. Focus on combining your foundational knowledge with quantitative methods or specialized policy areas to future-proof your career. Actively leverage the co-op system to build a specialized skill set and make connections that lead directly to your first post-graduation role.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northeastern University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How Northeastern University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Northeastern University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northeastern University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Political Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Political Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Political Science at Northeastern University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science 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 field.
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 $582,066 in decade earnings vs $672,137 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.