Political Science at South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,337/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
13.9x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)
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 | $521K | $518K | $482K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.0x | 13.9x | 12.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 10.2x | 10.1x | 9.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,196
Out-of-state: $51,236 (10.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,433
47% growth from Year 1
About South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,798 students in Brookings, SD.
See all programs and financial aid at South Dakota State University →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at South Dakota State 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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at South Dakota State University?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $481,682 in decade earnings vs $521,213 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →