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Political Science and Government at Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,843/yr (28% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 3.0x earnings multiple

Ranked #119 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	$811K	$774K	$675K
Earnings Multiple	3.2x	3.0x	2.6x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$255,784

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$76,160

70% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,000

3.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$92,330

97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $46,843 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Vanderbilt University significantly outpace the $36,684 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The financial case is thin at 3.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $14,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #119 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 $92,330 show a 97% jump from the $46,843 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Vanderbilt University

With just 6% of applicants admitted, Vanderbilt University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with a mid-sized student body of 7,143 in Nashville, TN. The average net cost of $76,160 over four years represents a 70% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Vanderbilt 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

Other Majors at Vanderbilt University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Vanderbilt University?

A score of 54/100 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 $674,746 in decade earnings vs $811,476 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Vanderbilt University's Political Science and Government program stand out?

Ranked #119 of 521 programs nationally, Vanderbilt University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is Vanderbilt University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?

After financial aid, the average student pays $76,160 over four years — 70% below the $255,784 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →