Political Science at University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,574/yr (-28% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.8x earnings multiple (8.7x 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 | $616K | $602K | $545K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.0x | 11.8x | 10.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.9x | 8.7x | 7.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 41 | 41 | 40 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,196
Out-of-state: $68,956 (8.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,408
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,740
117% growth from Year 1
About University of Akron Main Campus
University of Akron Main Campus accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 10,011 students in Akron, OH.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Akron Main Campus →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 University of Akron Main Campus
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 University of Akron Main Campus's Political Science program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 University of Akron Main Campus?
Lower starting pay at University of Akron Main Campus 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 →