Political Scienceat University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduates earn $42,063/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $618K; scenarios range from $557K to $634K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UW-Madison
First-year earnings of $42,063 at University of Wisconsin-Madison come in 15% above the national median of $36,684 for Political Science programs.
With a 13.8x 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.
With first-year pay of $42,063 far exceeding the $20,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks #25 among 521 Political Science programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $42,063-to-$68,593 earnings arc over five years reflects a 63% 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 UW-Madison'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 UW-Madison stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UW-Madison
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UW-Madison, 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 UW-Madison
What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
At 61/100, University of Wisconsin-Madison'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 Wisconsin-Madison?
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 Wisconsin-Madison one of the best schools for Political Science?
Among 521 Political Science programs, University of Wisconsin-Madison's #25 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.