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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #5 of 521

Political Scienceat University of Maryland-College Park

Graduates earn $42,688/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $695K; scenarios range from $615K to $722K depending on AI disruption.

College Park, MD Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
64 SOLID
65
Optimistic
60
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,688
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$695K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Maryland-College Park

Your strong earnings potential from UMD's Political Science program is largely a direct result of its prime location just outside Washington D.C. This proximity creates unparalleled access to federal government agencies, congressional offices, think tanks, and advocacy organizations, all eager to recruit UMD graduates. You'll find direct pipelines into roles at the State Department, Capitol Hill, various NGOs, or policy consulting firms, where a robust understanding of governance and policy is highly valued. The program's reputation and strong alumni network further open doors, often leading to rapid advancement in these competitive fields. To maximize your success in this dynamic, high-stakes environment, actively seek out multiple D.C.-based internships; these experiences are crucial for building the practical skills and connections that translate directly into your post-graduation career.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$615K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple13.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$695K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple15.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$722K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple15.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Maryland-College Park's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Political Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Political Science

How University of Maryland-College Park stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
21.0x
ROI
Also at University of Maryland-College Park

Other top programs at University of Maryland-College Park

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maryland-College Park, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Political Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Political Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at University of Maryland-College Park

What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of Maryland-College Park?

At 64/100, University of Maryland-College Park'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 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?

Among 521 Political Science programs, University of Maryland-College Park's #5 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.