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Political Science and Government at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,823/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 21.8x earnings multiple (10.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #156 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 $658K $639K $573K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.4x 21.8x 19.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.8x 10.4x 9.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (10.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,399
116% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,823/yr fall 19% below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 21.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% 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 $12,500 in median debt against $29,823 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #156 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places CUNY City College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $29,823-to-$64,399 earnings arc over five years reflects a 116% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About CUNY City College

With a 58% acceptance rate, CUNY City College is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 11,934 in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City College →

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 CUNY City College

Computer Science ($83,258) Computer Engineering ($78,326) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,172) Chemical Engineering ($67,450) Civil Engineering ($67,194) Mechanical Engineering ($65,905) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($62,945) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($56,711)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at CUNY City College?
At 52/100, CUNY City College'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 CUNY City College?
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.
Is CUNY City College a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY City College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Political Science and Government at CUNY City College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →