Political Science at State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,676/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #318 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

Program Analysis

The earnings profile for Political Science at New Paltz reflects a regional labor market less concentrated with the high-paying policy analysis or corporate government relations roles found in major hubs. Many graduates find fulfilling work in local government, community non-profits, or education within the Hudson Valley, where compensation structures differ from national averages for the most specialized roles. While the program offers a strong liberal arts foundation, its graduates often begin in broader administrative or community engagement positions. The higher-earning career paths frequently require advanced degrees or relocation to major political centers. Given the nature of entry-level work and the increasing AI risk in information processing roles, actively pursue multiple internships during your studies, ideally in diverse settings, to build a specialized skillset and network that can elevate your post-graduation trajectory.

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 $615K $601K $544K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.0x 17.6x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.2x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,096
Out-of-state: $73,736 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,924
-117% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,472
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,178
128% growth from Year 1

About State University of New York at New Paltz

State University of New York at New Paltz accepts 59% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 6,022 in New Paltz, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at State University of New York at New Paltz →

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 State University of New York at New Paltz

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at State University of New York at New Paltz?
At 44/100, 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 State University of New York at New Paltz?
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 State University of New York at New Paltz a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If State University of New York at New Paltz'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 →