Political Science and Government at Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,902/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #451 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 $595K $583K $530K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.7x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$158,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,288
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,690
84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $31,902/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from Bradley University land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 3.7x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $31,902 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #451 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Bradley University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $58,690 show a 84% jump from the $31,902 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Bradley University

With 77% of applicants admitted, Bradley University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 3,865 students in Peoria, IL. The average net cost of $94,288 over four years represents a 41% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bradley 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

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Bradley University?
A score of 35/100 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 $530,442 in decade earnings vs $594,522 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →