Political Science at Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,345/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.9x earnings multiple (5.6x 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 | $704K | $679K | $603K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.3x | 11.9x | 10.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.8x | 5.6x | 5.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 48 | 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)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (5.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,454
129% growth from Year 1
About Wayne State University
A 82% acceptance rate means Wayne State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at Wayne 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 Wayne State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at Wayne State University?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $603,107 in decade earnings vs $703,774 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science from Wayne State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →