Political Science and Government at Utah State University

Logan, UT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,317/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #86 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 25%

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 $574K $565K $517K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.6x 15.3x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.7x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,912
Out-of-state: $99,208 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,476
-39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,241
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,177
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,317 track close to the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,241 in median debt against $38,317 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #86 of 521 nationally, this is a top-5% Political Science and Government program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $59,177 show a 54% jump from the $38,317 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Utah State University

Utah State University has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 20,342 students in Logan, UT.

See all programs and financial aid at Utah State University →

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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Utah State University?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science and Government field.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $517,069 in decade earnings vs $574,417 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Utah State University's Political Science and Government program stand out?
Ranked #86 of 521 programs nationally, Utah State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →