Political Scienceat University of the District of Columbia
Graduates earn $49,935/yr in their first year — about 36.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $528K; scenarios range from $489K to $533K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of the District of Columbia
Your proximity to the epicenter of US politics in Washington, DC, profoundly shapes the career landscape for UDC Political Science and Government graduates. The unparalleled density of federal agencies, Congressional offices, lobbying firms, think tanks, and international organizations creates a unique demand for policy analysts, legislative aides, and government affairs specialists. UDC's deep roots as a public university in the city likely foster robust pipelines for local and federal government internships, which are critical for entry into these competitive fields.
While the broader field faces evolving integration with AI, your success in DC often hinges on leveraging human-centric skills in strategy, negotiation, and relationship building. To truly capitalize on this environment, prioritize internships and networking opportunities throughout your program. Actively engage with the political and governmental ecosystem surrounding you; it's your most significant asset for securing impactful roles.
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 the District of Columbia'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 the District of Columbia stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of the District of Columbia
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of the District of Columbia, 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 the District of Columbia
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at University of the District of Columbia?
A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science field.
Will AI replace Political Science careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $489,319 in decade earnings vs $532,695 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of the District of Columbia's Political Science program stand out?
Ranked #27 of 521 programs nationally, University of the District of Columbia lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.