Home Schools Whitworth University Political Science
Social Sciences · Political Science Rank #244 of 521

Political Scienceat Whitworth University

Graduates earn $43,933/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $637K; scenarios range from $571K to $656K depending on AI disruption.

Spokane, WA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
48 AVERAGE
49
Optimistic
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,933
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$637K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Whitworth University

At $43,933 per year, Political Science graduates from Whitworth University earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 3.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $21,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #244 ranking among 521 Political Science programs places Whitworth University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $43,933-to-$72,166 earnings arc over five years reflects a 64% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

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
$571K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$637K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$656K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Whitworth 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 Whitworth 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
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 Whitworth University

Other top programs at Whitworth University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Whitworth 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 Whitworth University

What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Whitworth 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 Whitworth 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.