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Political Science and Government at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,316/yr (51% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #110 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 25%

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 $692K $669K $595K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.7x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$250,772
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,292
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,595
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $55,316 put University of Notre Dame's Political Science and Government program 51% above the national median of $36,684 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $55,316 far exceeding the $19,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #110 out of 521 programs, University of Notre Dame's Political Science and Government program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $55,316 to $81,595 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame's 12% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, enrolling 8,923 students in Notre Dame, IN. The average net cost of $111,292 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Notre Dame →

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)

Other Majors at University of Notre Dame

Finance and Financial Management Services ($99,222) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,517) Mathematics and Statistics, Other ($89,689) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,861) Mechanical Engineering ($84,999) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($83,810) Chemical Engineering ($83,377) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($81,057)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Notre Dame's Political Science and Government program score?
This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Political Science and Government graduates.
How vulnerable is Political Science and Government to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science and Government 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 does University of Notre Dame rank so high for Political Science and Government?
The #110 ranking out of 521 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Political Science and Government at University of Notre Dame after financial aid?
Sticker price is $250,772, but the average net cost is $111,292 — a 56% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →