Political Science at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,786/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.6x 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 | $616K | $602K | $545K |
| Earnings Multiple | 11.9x | 11.6x | 10.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 47 | 47 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$51,688
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,148
92% growth from Year 1
About Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,836 in Edwardsville, IL.
See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville →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 Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
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 does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville?
At 47/100, 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-Edwardsville?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →