Political Science at West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,286/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
15.4x earnings multiple (5.4x 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) | 15.7x | 15.4x | 14.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.6x | 5.4x | 4.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 49 | 48 | 47 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (5.4x 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
West Virginia University has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 17,705 students in Morgantown, WV.
See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at West Virginia University?
At 48/100, 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 West Virginia 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.
Is West Virginia University a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If West Virginia University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →