Political Science and Government at University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,687/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #221 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 $606K $593K $538K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.4x 10.2x 9.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.7x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,236
Out-of-state: $125,916 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$84,432
-45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,017
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Mary Washington's Political Science and Government program produces graduates earning $35,687/yr — within striking distance of the $36,684 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,687 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #221 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of Mary Washington scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $62,017 show a 74% jump from the $35,687 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Mary Washington

A 86% acceptance rate means University of Mary Washington is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 3,504 students in Fredericksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Mary Washington →

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 Mary Washington

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at University of Mary Washington?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $537,872 in decade earnings vs $605,694 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →