Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $32,228 track close to the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,228 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #198 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Auburn University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $63,805 show a 98% jump from the $32,228 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.