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Political Science and Government at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,021/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #312 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 $633K $617K $556K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,721
55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,021/yr, edging above the $36,684 national average for Political Science and Government — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 $23,250 represents roughly 6 months of the $45,021 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #312 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Boston University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $69,721 show a 55% jump from the $45,021 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Boston University

Boston University admits 11% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, enrolling 17,850 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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 Boston University

Computer Engineering ($93,995) Computer Science ($90,050) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,528) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($77,660) Mechanical Engineering ($76,337) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($71,545) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($69,209) Mathematics ($64,604)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Boston University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $556,263 in decade earnings vs $633,346 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Boston University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?
After financial aid, the average student pays $107,984 over four years — 59% below the $260,672 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →