Political Scienceat Williams College
Graduates earn $56,817/yr in their first year — about 55.0% above the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $750K; scenarios range from $657K to $784K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Williams College
A Williams Political Science degree is a powerful credential, and the strong earnings reflect the comprehensive analytical and communication skills you'll develop. The program's rigor, combined with the college's exceptional alumni network and robust career services, opens doors to competitive post-graduate paths in law, consulting, finance, and public policy, where the ability to synthesize complex information and articulate persuasive arguments is highly valued. These roles often involve initial work in research and analysis, which increasingly leverages AI tools. While some tasks in these fields face AI augmentation, your critical thinking and strategic problem-solving abilities remain paramount. Focus on internships that demand practical application of your research and communication skills, building a portfolio that showcases your unique human insights beyond what AI can generate.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Williams College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How Williams College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Williams College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Williams College, 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 →Frequently asked about Political Science at Williams College
How does Williams College's Political Science program score?
This program scores 58/100, 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.
How affordable is Political Science at Williams College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,440, but the average net cost is $59,408 — a 77% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.