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Political Science and Government at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,688/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.1x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 1%

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 $722K $695K $615K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.1x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.3x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,442
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,622
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,688 at University of Maryland-College Park come in 16% above the national median of $36,684 for Political Science and Government programs.

With a 15.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% 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.

With first-year pay of $42,688 far exceeding the $18,442 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Among 521 Political Science and Government programs nationally, University of Maryland-College Park ranks #5 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The $42,688-to-$79,622 earnings arc over five years reflects a 87% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Maryland-College Park

A 45% admission rate makes University of Maryland-College Park accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 30,246 students enrolled in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Compare Political Science and Government

University of Maryland-College Park vs Dartmouth College → University of Maryland-College Park vs University of Pennsylvania → University of Maryland-College Park vs University of Maryland Global Campus → University of Maryland-College Park vs Harvard University →

Other Majors at University of Maryland-College Park

Computer Science ($99,756) Computer Engineering ($95,847) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,500) Chemical Engineering ($81,777) Engineering, Other ($80,931) Mathematics ($79,129) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,631) Civil Engineering ($76,731)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of Maryland-College Park?
At 64/100, University of Maryland-College Park's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at University of Maryland-College Park?
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 Maryland-College Park one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?
Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of Maryland-College Park's #5 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 →