Political Science at University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,973/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
14.0x earnings multiple (10.2x 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 | $532K | $527K | $489K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.1x | 14.0x | 13.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 10.3x | 10.2x | 9.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 45 | 45 | 43 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,728
Out-of-state: $51,768 (10.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
9.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,941
59% growth from Year 1
About University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 5,239 students in Vermillion, SD.
See all programs and financial aid at University of South Dakota →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 Dakota
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 South Dakota's Political Science program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →