Political Science at University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,060/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
10.5x earnings multiple (3.3x 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 | $607K | $594K | $539K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.7x | 10.5x | 9.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.4x | 3.3x | 3.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 43 | 43 | 42 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (3.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,096
97% growth from Year 1
About University of California-Riverside
A 63% admission rate makes University of California-Riverside accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 22,644 students enrolled in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →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-Riverside
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of California-Riverside?
At 43/100, 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-Riverside?
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 University of California-Riverside a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Riverside's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →