Home › University of Rochester › Political Science and Government

Political Science and Government at University of Rochester

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,921/yr (3% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 2.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #432 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	$620K	$606K	$548K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.4x	2.1x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	37	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$257,392

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$120,992

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,000

6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$64,944

71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Rochester's Political Science and Government program produces graduates earning $37,921/yr — within striking distance of the $36,684 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 2.4x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,000 debt-to-$37,921 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #432 out of 521 programs, University of Rochester's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $37,921 to $64,944 over five years (71% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Rochester

Admission to University of Rochester is competitive, with 36% of applicants accepted, with a mid-sized student body of 6,488 in Rochester, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Rochester →

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 Rochester

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 Rochester's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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.

How affordable is Political Science and Government at University of Rochester after financial aid?

Sticker price is $257,392, but the average net cost is $120,992 — a 53% 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 →