Home › Saint Xavier University › Political Science and Government

Political Science and Government at Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
28
Optimistic
27
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,828/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #514 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 $394K $406K $397K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.8x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 27 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$147,360
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,372
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,861
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,828 place Saint Xavier University below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,861 represents roughly 10 months of the $25,828 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #514 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Saint Xavier University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier University accepts 86% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 3,030 students in Chicago, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 56% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $48,372 over four years represents a 67% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Xavier 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

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Other Majors at Saint Xavier University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($78,285) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,054) Accounting and Related Services ($49,533) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($46,835) Finance and Financial Management Services ($46,452) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,377) Computer Science ($45,889) Business/Commerce, General ($44,190)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Saint Xavier University?
A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $397,173 in decade earnings vs $394,165 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science and Government from Saint Xavier 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.
Is Saint Xavier University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?
After financial aid, the average student pays $48,372 over four years — 67% below the $147,360 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →