Political Scienceat University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Graduates earn $42,366/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $490K; scenarios range from $460K to $489K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
At $42,366 per year, Political Science graduates from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Political Science's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $24,889 represents roughly 7 months of the $42,366 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #167 of 521 Political Science programs, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh'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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh?
A score of 52/100 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 $460,387 in decade earnings vs $489,200 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.