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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #58 of 521

Political Scienceat Texas A & M University-College Station

Graduates earn $41,817/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $602K; scenarios range from $545K to $617K depending on AI disruption.

College Station, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
58 SOLID
59
Optimistic
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,817
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$602K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Texas A&M

First-year earnings of $41,817 at Texas A & M University-College Station come in 14% above the national median of $36,684 for Political Science programs.

With a 11.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $41,817 far exceeding the $17,595 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Texas A & M University-College Station ranks #58 among 521 Political Science programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $41,817-to-$66,219 earnings arc over five years reflects a 58% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$545K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple10.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$602K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple11.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$617K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple11.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Texas A&M's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Political Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Political Science

How Texas A&M stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
21.0x
ROI
Also at Texas A&M

Other top programs at Texas A&M

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Texas A&M, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Political Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Political Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at Texas A&M

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Texas A & M University-College Station?

At 58/100, Texas A & M University-College Station's Political Science program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Texas A & M University-College Station?

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 Texas A & M University-College Station one of the best schools for Political Science?

Among 521 Political Science programs, Texas A & M University-College Station's #58 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.