Political Science at West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
50
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,286/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
18.4x earnings multiple (7.4x 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 | $608K | $594K | $539K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.8x | 18.4x | 16.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.5x | 7.4x | 6.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 50 | 50 | 48 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,256
Out-of-state: $80,480 (7.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,431
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,257
96% growth from Year 1
About West Virginia University Institute of Technology
West Virginia University Institute of Technology accepts 61% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,009 students in Beckley, WV.
See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University Institute of Technology →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 West Virginia University Institute of Technology
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
How does West Virginia University Institute of Technology's Political Science program score?
This program scores 50/100, 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.
Why are Political Science earnings lower at West Virginia University Institute of Technology?
Lower starting pay at West Virginia University Institute of Technology 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 →