Political Science at Saint Edward's University

Austin, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
32
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 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

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 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 program score?
This program scores 34/100 — 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.
How affordable is Political Science 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 →