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Political Science and Government at University of Missouri-St Louis

Saint Louis, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,050/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #302 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

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	$524K	$520K	$484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.7x	9.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.9x	3.9x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	45	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$53,760

Out-of-state: $133,728 (3.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$49,292

8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,687

6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,429

43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,050/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from University of Missouri-St Louis land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

A 9.7x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 8% 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.

At $20,687 against $36,050/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #302 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places University of Missouri-St Louis in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 43% earnings increase from $36,050 to $51,429 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Missouri-St Louis

University of Missouri-St Louis accepts 57% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 5,108 students in Saint Louis, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-St Louis →

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 Missouri-St Louis

Consider the Trade Route?

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 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of Missouri-St Louis?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at University of Missouri-St Louis?

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →