Political Science at Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,187/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
2.5x 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 | $667K | $647K | $579K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.6x | 2.5x | 2.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 30 | 30 | 28 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$258,584
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,609
117% growth from Year 1
About Oberlin College
Oberlin College accepts 33% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a smaller student body of 2,950 in Oberlin, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $156,736 over four years — 39% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at Oberlin College →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 Oberlin College
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Oberlin College's Political Science program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Political Science earnings lower at Oberlin College?
Lower starting pay at Oberlin College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →