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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #131 of 521

Political Scienceat Tufts University

Graduates earn $67,713/yr in their first year — about 85.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $620K; scenarios range from $559K to $637K depending on AI disruption.

Medford, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
53 AVERAGE
54
Optimistic
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$67,713
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$620K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Tufts University

Tufts's elite reputation and location near policy hubs like Boston and Washington D.C. significantly shape your career prospects. The Political Science program benefits from robust alumni networks and strong recruiting pipelines into consulting, government relations, and strategic communications firms, as well as non-profits and law schools. While the "Very High" AI risk score reflects the automation of some data analysis and research tasks, the critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and persuasive communication skills you develop at Tufts are indispensable for high-level policy formation, advocacy, and leadership roles. Your value will increasingly lie in interpreting complex information and influencing human decisions. To maximize your potential, aggressively pursue internships and networking opportunities throughout your degree, focusing on practical application of your analytical skills.

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
$559K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$620K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$637K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Tufts University'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 Tufts University 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
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
Same state (MA)
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Also at Tufts University

Other top programs at Tufts University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Tufts University, 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 Tufts University

What does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Tufts University?

At 53/100, Tufts University'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 Tufts University?

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 Tufts University one of the best schools for Political Science?

Among 521 Political Science programs, Tufts University's #131 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.