Political Science at Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,225/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.7x 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 | $608K | $595K | $540K |
| Earnings Multiple | 12.0x | 11.7x | 10.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$50,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,500
9.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,494
88% growth from Year 1
About Northern Illinois University
With 70% of applicants admitted, Northern Illinois University prioritizes broad access, serving 11,277 students in Dekalb, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Northern Illinois University →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
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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 Northern Illinois University?
A score of 47/100 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 $539,670 in decade earnings vs $608,398 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →