Political Science at University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,157/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.6x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $603K | $590K | $536K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.9x | 11.6x | 10.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.3x | 4.2x | 3.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 48 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,752
Out-of-state: $139,736 (4.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,403
82% growth from Year 1
About University of South Carolina-Columbia
A 61% admission rate makes University of South Carolina-Columbia accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.
See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia
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 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
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 →