Political Scienceat The University of Texas at Austin
Graduates earn $43,281/yr in their first year — about 18.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $629K; scenarios range from $566K to $647K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UT Austin
First-year earnings of $43,281 at The University of Texas at Austin come in 18% above the national median of $36,684 for Political Science programs.
With a 13.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 13% 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 $43,281 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
The University of Texas at Austin ranks #16 among 521 Political Science programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $43,281-to-$70,835 earnings arc over five years reflects a 64% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UT Austin's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How UT Austin stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UT Austin
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UT Austin, 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 →Frequently asked about Political Science at UT Austin
What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at The University of Texas at Austin?
At 62/100, The University of Texas at Austin'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 The University of Texas at Austin?
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 The University of Texas at Austin one of the best schools for Political Science?
Among 521 Political Science programs, The University of Texas at Austin's #16 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.