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Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #2 of 521

Political Scienceat University of Maryland Global Campus

Graduates earn $62,476/yr in their first year — about 70.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $593K; scenarios range from $538K to $606K depending on AI disruption.

Adelphi, MD Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
67
Pessimistic
Earnings
$62,476
1-year post-graduation
ROI
21.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$593K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Maryland Global Campus

Your strong outcomes here reflect a unique combination: UMGC's focus on practical, career-oriented education, often serving working professionals, coupled with its prime location in the Washington D.C. metro area. This proximity provides unparalleled access to federal government roles, defense contractors, and a dense network of think tanks and advocacy groups, where demand for policy analysts, researchers, and project managers with political science backgrounds is consistently high. Many graduates find themselves in critical roles shaping policy, managing government contracts, or leading initiatives in the public and private sectors, directly explaining the high earning potential.

While AI poses a "Very High" risk to some analytical and administrative tasks, the strategic thinking, nuanced communication, and complex problem-solving required in senior policy, management, and advocacy positions remain distinctly human skills. Focus on developing these higher-order critical thinking and leadership abilities, perhaps through internships in D.C., to truly leverage your degree.

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
$538K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple16.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$593K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple18.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$606K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple18.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Maryland Global Campus'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 Global Campus 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
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Also at University of Maryland Global Campus

Other top programs at University of Maryland Global Campus

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maryland Global Campus, 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 Global Campus

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of Maryland Global Campus?

At 72/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at University of Maryland Global Campus?

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 Global Campus one of the best schools for Political Science?

Among 521 Political Science programs, University of Maryland Global Campus's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.