Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,080/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
8.3x earnings multiple (3.5x 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 | $557K | $549K | $505K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 8.5x | 8.3x | 7.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.6x | 3.5x | 3.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 43 | 43 | 41 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (3.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,117
62% growth from Year 1
About Virginia Commonwealth University
With 93% of applicants admitted, Virginia Commonwealth University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 20,797 in Richmond, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth 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 Virginia Commonwealth 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 does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →