Political Science at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,635/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
10.2x earnings multiple
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 | $547K | $541K | $499K |
| Earnings Multiple | 10.3x | 10.2x | 9.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 36 | 36 | 35 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$52,976
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,594
10.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,172
88% growth from Year 1
About Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 8,116 students in Carbondale, IL.
See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale →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
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Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →