Political Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
53
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,172/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
10.8x earnings multiple (5.0x 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 | $716K | $690K | $611K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.2x | 10.8x | 9.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.2x | 5.0x | 4.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 53 | 53 | 50 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (5.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,201
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,311
111% growth from Year 1
About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
A 44% admission rate makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 34,623 students enrolled in Champaign, IL.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
At 53/100, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Political Science program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign one of the best schools for Political Science?
Among 521 Political Science programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's #126 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →