Political Scienceat University of Virginia-Main Campus
Graduates earn $45,875/yr in their first year — about 25.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $722K; scenarios range from $635K to $752K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Virginia
Your Political Science and Government degree from UVA carries significant weight, reflecting the university's rigorous academic standards and robust alumni network. This strong foundation, particularly bolstered by proximity to Washington D.C. and Richmond, positions graduates favorably for roles in federal and state government, international organizations, prominent think tanks, and top-tier consulting firms that actively recruit from the region. The curriculum cultivates sharp analytical and critical thinking skills, making you highly adaptable for careers beyond direct politics, including management and economic analysis, or for pursuing advanced degrees in law or public policy.
However, the field is undergoing substantial transformation due to AI. Many tasks involving extensive research, data interpretation, and policy analysis are increasingly susceptible to automation. To future-proof your career, focus on developing complementary skills in advanced data analytics, ethical AI applications, or specialized areas demanding uniquely human judgment and complex interpersonal negotiation, ensuring your expertise remains indispensable.
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 Virginia'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 Virginia stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Virginia
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Virginia, 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 Virginia
What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of Virginia-Main Campus?
At 61/100, University of Virginia-Main Campus's Political Science program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science 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?
Among 521 Political Science programs, University of Virginia-Main Campus's #24 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.