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Political Science and Government at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,875/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 8.6x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #24 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 5%

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 $752K $722K $635K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 8.6x 7.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.1x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$83,944
Out-of-state: $232,056 (3.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$91,524
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,049
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,910
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of University of Virginia-Main Campus's Political Science and Government program earn $45,875/yr in their first year — 25% above the $36,684 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

A 8.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $16,049 in median debt against $45,875 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

University of Virginia-Main Campus ranks #24 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $45,875-to-$84,910 earnings arc over five years reflects a 85% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Virginia-Main Campus

University of Virginia-Main Campus admits 17% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving 17,315 students in Charlottesville, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Virginia-Main Campus →

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

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Other Majors at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Computer Engineering ($118,232) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($98,067) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($93,565) Systems Engineering ($91,178) Chemical Engineering ($85,772) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,135) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($77,922) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,220)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of Virginia-Main Campus?
At 61/100, University of Virginia-Main Campus's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at University of Virginia-Main Campus?
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.
Is University of Virginia-Main Campus one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?
Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of Virginia-Main Campus's #24 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →