Home › Yale University › Political Science and Government

Political Science and Government at Yale University

New Haven, CT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,466/yr (57% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #9 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 5%

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 $1,038K $974K $825K
Earnings Multiple 4.0x 3.8x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 63 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$258,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,272
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,749
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$123,834
115% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Yale University Political Science and Government graduates command $57,466/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,684 national median. That 57% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 3.8x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,749 in median debt clears quickly against $57,466 in annual earnings.

Ranked #9 out of 521 programs, Yale University's Political Science and Government program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $57,466 to $123,834 over five years (115% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Yale University

Only 4% of applicants gain admission to Yale University, reflecting elite selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 6,811 in New Haven, CT. After financial aid, the average student pays $111,272 over four years — 57% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Yale University →

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

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Compare Political Science and Government

Yale University vs Dartmouth College → Yale University vs University of Pennsylvania → Yale University vs University of Maryland Global Campus → Yale University vs Harvard University →

Other Majors at Yale University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($133,293) Economics ($82,617) Engineering Science ($73,378) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($61,133) Area Studies ($55,618) History ($54,700) Research and Experimental Psychology ($47,874) English Language and Literature, General ($41,045)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Yale University's Political Science and Government program score?
This program scores 63/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Political Science and Government graduates.
How vulnerable is Political Science and Government to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Political Science and Government 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.
Why does Yale University rank so high for Political Science and Government?
The #9 ranking out of 521 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Political Science and Government at Yale University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $258,800, but the average net cost is $111,272 — a 57% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →