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Political Science and Government at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,295/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #223 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	$499K	$498K	$467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.9x	12.8x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.1x	6.1x	5.7x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	48	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,848

Out-of-state: $81,968 (6.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,724

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,875

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,164

29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,295 track close to the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 12.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% 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 $16,875 in median debt against $37,295 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #223 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places University of Colorado Colorado Springs in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 29% earnings increase from $37,295 to $48,164 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Colorado Colorado Springs

University of Colorado Colorado Springs has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 8,870 students in Colorado Springs, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Colorado Springs →

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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

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 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

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 →