Political Science and Government at University of St Thomas

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,775/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #446 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 $619K $605K $547K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$209,136
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$122,100
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,199
82% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,775/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from University of St Thomas land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — 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 and Government'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 $22,250 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,775 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #446 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of St Thomas falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $63,199 show a 82% jump from the $34,775 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of St Thomas

With 85% of applicants admitted, University of St Thomas prioritizes broad access, serving 6,014 students in Saint Paul, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $122,100 — 42% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of St Thomas →

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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at University of St Thomas?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $546,972 in decade earnings vs $619,376 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →