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Political Science and Government at Allegheny College

Meadville, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,834/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #503 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

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 $619K $604K $546K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 30 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$219,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,600
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,817
97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $30,834/yr fall 16% below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$30,834 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #503 out of 521 programs, Allegheny College's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $30,834 to $60,817 over five years (97% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Allegheny College

With a 59% acceptance rate, Allegheny College is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,209 in Meadville, PA. The average net cost of $87,600 over four years represents a 60% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Allegheny College →

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)

Other Majors at Allegheny College

Computer Science ($58,811) Economics ($51,722) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($36,178) Biology, General ($35,620) Psychology, General ($35,218) Public Health ($32,328) Communication and Media Studies ($31,994) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($30,552)

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 Allegheny College's Political Science and Government program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are Political Science and Government earnings lower at Allegheny College?
Lower starting pay at Allegheny College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Political Science and Government at Allegheny College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $219,840, but the average net cost is $87,600 — a 60% 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 →