Program Analysis
At $32,225/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from Northern Illinois University land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.
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 11% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,500 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,225 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #256 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Northern Illinois University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $60,494 show a 88% jump from the $32,225 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.