Political Science at Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,080/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
9.2x earnings multiple (5.8x 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 | $545K | $539K | $497K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.3x | 9.2x | 8.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.9x | 5.8x | 5.4x |
| 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)
$58,776
Out-of-state: $92,752 (5.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,252
76% growth from Year 1
About Oakland University
A 70% acceptance rate means Oakland University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 12,450 in Rochester Hills, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Oakland 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 Oakland University
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 does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland University a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Oakland 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 →