Political Scienceat University of Richmond
Graduates earn $43,253/yr in their first year — about 18.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $605K; scenarios range from $547K to $620K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Richmond
At $43,253 per year, Political Science graduates from University of Richmond earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Political Science's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $23,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $43,253 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #361 of 521 Political Science programs, University of Richmond falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $67,169 show a 55% jump from the $43,253 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 Richmond'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 Richmond stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Richmond
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Richmond, 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 Richmond
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at University of Richmond?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $547,066 in decade earnings vs $619,515 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.