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Political Science and Government at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,096/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #319 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 $514K $511K $477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.0x 17.0x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,164
Out-of-state: $98,148 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,948
-119% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,229
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,799
59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,096 place Appalachian State University below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 17.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,229 against $30,096/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #319 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Appalachian State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $30,096-to-$47,799 earnings arc over five years reflects a 59% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 19,304 in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian State 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)

Other Majors at Appalachian State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,420) Computer Science ($68,675) Construction Management ($59,809) Management Information Systems and Services ($56,650) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($56,340) Accounting and Related Services ($55,671) Insurance ($55,611) Finance and Financial Management Services ($52,004)

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

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Appalachian State University?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Appalachian 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 Appalachian State University a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Appalachian 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 →