Home Schools Villanova University Political Science
Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #163 of 521

Political Scienceat Villanova University

Graduates earn $46,549/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $727K; scenarios range from $639K to $758K depending on AI disruption.

Villanova, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
52 AVERAGE
53
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,549
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$727K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Villanova University

At $46,549 per year, Political Science graduates from Villanova University significantly outpace the $36,684 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,620 debt-to-$46,549 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #163 out of 521 programs, Villanova University's Political Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $46,549 to $85,999 over five years (85% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$639K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$727K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$758K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Villanova University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Political Science graduates typically work

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.

1
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Political Science

How Villanova University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Same state (PA)
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
21.0x
ROI
Also at Villanova University

Other top programs at Villanova University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Villanova University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Political Science at Villanova University

How does Villanova University's Political Science program score?

This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Political Science graduates.

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.