Political Science and Government at Bryant University

Smithfield, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,112/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #164 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

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 $799K $763K $666K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.7x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$204,676
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$163,384
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,176
112% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,112 at Bryant University come in 12% above the national median of $36,684 for Political Science and Government programs.

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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,112 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #164 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Bryant University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $87,176 show a 112% jump from the $41,112 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Bryant University

A 66% admission rate makes Bryant University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 3,236 in Smithfield, RI.

See all programs and financial aid at Bryant 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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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Bryant University?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science and Government field.
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 $666,291 in decade earnings vs $798,769 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →