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Political Science at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,964/yr (-32% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #401 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

Program Analysis

The data for UH Manoa's Political Science program reflects a unique regional labor market. Hawaii's economy, while vibrant, offers fewer high-paying, private-sector roles traditionally sought by political science graduates compared to mainland hubs. You'll find opportunities within the State of Hawaii government, local non-profits focused on environmental or community issues, and potentially federal positions related to defense or Pacific affairs, but these are highly competitive. Many graduates prioritize remaining in Hawaii for lifestyle reasons, often accepting entry-level positions that align with the local salary structure. To enhance your career prospects, consider complementing your degree with strong quantitative skills or a specific regional focus, like Asian-Pacific relations, which can open doors to specialized roles. Actively network within Honolulu's government and non-profit sectors to understand the specific demand.

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	$608K	$594K	$539K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.5x	12.2x	11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.4x	4.3x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$48,744

Out-of-state: $136,872 (4.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$52,724

-8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,156

7.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,650

123% growth from Year 1

About University of Hawaii at Manoa

A 70% admission rate makes University of Hawaii at Manoa accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 14,306 students in Honolulu, HI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Hawaii at Manoa →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Hawaii at Manoa

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at University of Hawaii at Manoa?

A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Political Science careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $539,242 in decade earnings vs $607,755 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →