Political Science at Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,576/yr (-28% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
24.2x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $592K | $581K | $529K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 24.6x | 24.2x | 22.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.7x | 8.5x | 7.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$24,028
Out-of-state: $68,248 (8.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
11.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,175
108% growth from Year 1
About Valdosta State University
A 83% acceptance rate means Valdosta State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 6,858 students in Valdosta, GA. 51% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Valdosta State University →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at Valdosta State University
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
How does Valdosta State University's Political Science program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Political Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Political Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Political Science earnings lower at Valdosta State University?
Lower starting pay at Valdosta State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →