Political Scienceat Pacific Lutheran University
Graduates earn $41,518/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $485K; scenarios range from $457K to $484K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Pacific Lutheran University
At $41,518 per year, Political Science graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
At 2.4x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.
The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
A #382 ranking among 521 Political Science programs places Pacific Lutheran University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
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 Pacific Lutheran 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 Pacific Lutheran University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Pacific Lutheran University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Pacific Lutheran 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 Pacific Lutheran University
What does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Pacific Lutheran University?
At 41/100, 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 Pacific Lutheran 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.
What do students actually pay for Political Science at Pacific Lutheran University?
The 58% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $203,856. At a net cost of $85,480, the earnings multiple improves substantially.