Political Scienceat University of North Carolina Asheville
Graduates earn $23,964/yr in their first year — about 35.0% below the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $537K; scenarios range from $496K to $543K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina Asheville
Your earnings data for Political Science from UNC Asheville reflects a unique regional labor market. Asheville is a vibrant hub for tourism, arts, and non-profits, but it's not a major center for the high-paying government, corporate lobbying, or policy analysis roles that often drive up political science salaries elsewhere. Many graduates find fulfilling work in local government, advocacy groups, or education within the community, where initial compensation may be lower.
The "Very High" AI risk also highlights the evolving nature of entry-level research and analytical roles. While a Political Science degree hones critical thinking and communication, the specific, high-paying career paths listed often require advanced degrees or extensive experience. The program's strength lies in its liberal arts foundation and regional focus. To maximize your earning potential, actively seek internships in larger metropolitan areas or consider pairing your degree with a quantitative minor like data science or economics.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina Asheville's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How University of North Carolina Asheville stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of North Carolina Asheville
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina Asheville, 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 →Frequently asked about Political Science at University of North Carolina Asheville
How does University of North Carolina Asheville's Political Science program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Political Science earnings lower at University of North Carolina Asheville?
Lower starting pay at University of North Carolina Asheville may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.