Political Science at Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,725/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
22.0x earnings multiple (8.5x 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 | $604K | $591K | $537K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 22.4x | 22.0x | 19.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.7x | 8.5x | 7.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$26,940
Out-of-state: $69,564 (8.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
11.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,570
112% growth from Year 1
About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University's 69% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 4,244 in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 61% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem State University
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at Winston-Salem State University?
At 47/100, 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem State University a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Winston-Salem 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 →