Political Science and Government at Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $56,064/yr (53% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #56 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 25%

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 $797K $762K $665K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.8x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$268,096
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,428
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,250
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$95,708
71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $56,064 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Colgate University significantly outpace the $36,684 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — 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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #56 of 521 nationally, this is a top-5% Political Science and Government program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $95,708 show a 71% jump from the $56,064 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colgate University

With just 12% of applicants admitted, Colgate University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with a smaller student body of 3,122 in Hamilton, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $116,428 over four years — 57% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Colgate 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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Colgate University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Colgate University?
A score of 58/100 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 $665,330 in decade earnings vs $797,322 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colgate University's Political Science and Government program stand out?
Ranked #56 of 521 programs nationally, Colgate University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is Colgate University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?
After financial aid, the average student pays $116,428 over four years — 57% below the $268,096 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 →