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Political Science and Government at Union College

Schenectady, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,759/yr (36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #158 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $723K $696K $616K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.6x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$265,824
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$144,000
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,389
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$83,411
68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Union College Political Science and Government graduates command $49,759/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,684 national median. That 36% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

At 2.6x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,389 against $49,759/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #158 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Union College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $49,759-to-$83,411 earnings arc over five years reflects a 68% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Union College

Union College's 44% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 2,070 in Schenectady, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $144,000 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Union College →

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

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Other Majors at Union College

Mechanical Engineering ($68,407) Economics ($62,846) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($62,624) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($45,516) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($44,927) Research and Experimental Psychology ($30,061)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Union College?
At 52/100, Union College's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Union College?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →