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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #494 of 521

Political Scienceat Sacred Heart University

Graduates earn $17,262/yr in their first year — about 53.0% below the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $362K; scenarios range from $364K to $345K depending on AI disruption.

Fairfield, CT Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$17,262
1-year post-graduation
ROI
-0.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$362K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Sacred Heart University

The earnings data for Sacred Heart's Political Science program often reflects a common challenge for many humanities majors without a clear, direct career pipeline. While your degree will build strong critical thinking and analytical skills, many graduates initially find themselves in roles that don't immediately leverage that depth, especially without pursuing further education like law school or a specialized master's in public policy or international relations. The regional job market in Fairfield County, while robust in other sectors, might not offer a high volume of entry-level government or policy analyst positions that command higher salaries, leading many to start in general business roles, non-profits, or campaign work before building experience or specializing. The high-paying careers listed on this page typically require advanced degrees or extensive experience, which likely explains the disparity with observed early-career earnings. Given the high AI risk for many analytical roles, actively seek out internships in government, non-profits, or private sector roles that value complex problem-solving, and consider how a complementary minor or early graduate school planning could sharpen your career trajectory.

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
$364K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$362K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$345K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple1.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Sacred Heart University'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 Sacred Heart University 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 Sacred Heart University

Other top programs at Sacred Heart University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Sacred Heart 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at Sacred Heart University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at Sacred Heart University?

A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Political Science at Sacred Heart University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $20,750 against $17,262/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

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 $364,435 in decade earnings vs $344,939 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Political Science from Sacred Heart University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.