Political Science at Wichita State University
Wichita, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,121/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.5x 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 | $419K | $427K | $414K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.2x | 11.5x | 11.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.4x | 5.6x | 5.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 37 | 37 | 35 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,288
Out-of-state: $76,960 (5.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,541
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
About Wichita State University
A 95% acceptance rate means Wichita State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 10,493 in Wichita, KS.
See all programs and financial aid at Wichita 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 Wichita 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 does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Wichita State University?
At 37/100, 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 Wichita State 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 Wichita State University a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Wichita State 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 →