Political Science and Government at William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,801/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #263 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $549K $542K $500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.1x 8.9x 8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.5x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,600
Out-of-state: $97,856 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,056
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,875
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,485
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,801/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from William Paterson University of New Jersey land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,875 represents roughly 7 months of the $37,801 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #263 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, William Paterson University of New Jersey falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $37,801 to $55,485 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About William Paterson University of New Jersey

With 93% of applicants admitted, William Paterson University of New Jersey prioritizes broad access, enrolling 6,526 students in Wayne, NJ. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at William Paterson University of New Jersey?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $499,994 in decade earnings vs $548,745 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →