Political Scienceat University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Graduates earn $41,246/yr in their first year — about 12.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $617K; scenarios range from $556K to $633K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Washington
Graduates earn $41,246/yr, edging above the $36,684 national average for Political Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
With a 12.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $13,290 in median debt against $41,246 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #45 of 521 programs, this Political Science program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
The $41,246-to-$68,104 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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 Washington'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 Washington stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Washington
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Washington, 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 Washington
What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?
At 59/100, University of Washington-Seattle 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 Washington-Seattle 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.