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Political Science and Government at Saint Edward's University

Austin, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,570/yr (-6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #471 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$596K	$584K	$532K
Earnings Multiple	2.9x	2.8x	2.6x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$205,536

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$94,544

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,706

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$60,291

74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,570 track close to the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,706 debt-to-$34,570 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #471 out of 521 programs, Saint Edward's University's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $34,570 to $60,291 over five years (74% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's University has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 2,729 in Austin, TX. The average net cost of $94,544 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Edward's University →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Saint Edward's University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Saint Edward's University's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Political Science and Government to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Political Science and Government 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.

How affordable is Political Science and Government at Saint Edward's University after financial aid?

Sticker price is $205,536, but the average net cost is $94,544 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →