Political Scienceat University of Southern California
Graduates earn $38,063/yr in their first year — about 4.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $705K; scenarios range from $622K to $732K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern California
Your USC Political Science and Government degree positions you uniquely due to the university's strong reputation and its location in Los Angeles. The analytical and communication skills you develop are highly valued across diverse sectors, opening doors not just to direct political roles but also to fields like law, policy analysis, strategic communications, and even business development within the city's dynamic entertainment, tech, and international trade economies. This broad applicability explains the varied career paths you'll see. While some analytical and administrative tasks may face AI augmentation, focusing on high-level strategic thinking, ethical reasoning, and complex problem-solving – areas where human insight remains paramount – will be crucial. Leverage USC's extensive alumni network and take advantage of internship opportunities in local government, advocacy groups, or major corporations to build practical experience and secure strong early career trajectories.
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 Southern California'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 Southern California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern California
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern California, 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 Southern California
What does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of Southern California?
At 42/100, 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 Southern California?
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.
What do students actually pay for Political Science at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.