Political Science at Texas Southern University
Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,806/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
15.7x earnings multiple (6.6x 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 | $586K | $575K | $524K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.0x | 15.7x | 14.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.7x | 6.6x | 6.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 44 | 43 | 42 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,692
Out-of-state: $87,092 (6.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,750
13.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,608
104% growth from Year 1
About Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 6,619 in Houston, TX. 71% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University
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
How does Texas Southern University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Texas Southern University Political Science graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Political Science earnings lower at Texas Southern University?
Lower starting pay at Texas Southern University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →