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Political Science and Government at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,324/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #172 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 $599K $587K $533K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.4x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,584
Out-of-state: $135,004 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,493
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,324 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.

With a 11.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $18,500 against $36,324/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #172 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Colorado State University-Fort Collins in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $36,324-to-$61,493 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University-Fort Collins has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 25,148 students enrolled in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,856) Construction Engineering Technologies ($78,423) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,038) Civil Engineering ($73,326) Information Science/Studies ($67,827) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($66,109) Chemical Engineering ($62,468) Mechanical Engineering ($60,720)

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 does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
At 51/100, Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →