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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #340 of 521

Political Scienceat Randolph-Macon College

Graduates earn $41,684/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $588K; scenarios range from $534K to $600K depending on AI disruption.

Ashland, VA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
43 AVERAGE
44
Optimistic
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,684
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$588K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Randolph-Macon College

At $41,684 per year, Political Science graduates from Randolph-Macon College earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 3.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $41,684/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #340 ranking among 521 Political Science programs places Randolph-Macon College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $41,684-to-$63,962 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$534K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$600K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Randolph-Macon College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Political Science graduates typically work

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.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Political Science

How Randolph-Macon College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
21.0x
ROI
Also at Randolph-Macon College

Other top programs at Randolph-Macon College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Randolph-Macon College, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at Randolph-Macon College

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Randolph-Macon College?

At 43/100, 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 Randolph-Macon College?

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.