Political Science at University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,976/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.7x earnings multiple (3.7x 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 | $691K | $668K | $594K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.1x | 11.7x | 10.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.8x | 3.7x | 3.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 50 | 49 | 48 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,948
Out-of-state: $180,056 (3.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,000
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,342
117% growth from Year 1
About University of California-Irvine
University of California-Irvine accepts 26% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with 29,494 students enrolled in Irvine, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →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 California-Irvine
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
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 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of California-Irvine?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at University of California-Irvine?
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 →