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Political Science and Government at DePauw University

Greencastle, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $44,224/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #368 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	$577K	$567K	$519K
Earnings Multiple	2.5x	2.5x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	41	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$228,280

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,184

57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

7.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,602

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $44,224/yr, edging above the $36,684 national average for Political Science and Government — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $44,224 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #368 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, DePauw University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $44,224 to $61,602 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About DePauw University

With a 54% acceptance rate, DePauw University is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,804 in Greencastle, IN. The average net cost of $98,184 over four years represents a 57% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at DePauw 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

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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 DePauw University?

A score of 41/100 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 $518,647 in decade earnings vs $576,787 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is DePauw University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?

After financial aid, the average student pays $98,184 over four years — 57% below the $228,280 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 →