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Political Science and Government at Fairmont State University

Fairmont, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,992/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #342 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	$447K	$452K	$432K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.2x	13.4x	12.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.1x	6.2x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	43	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,816

Out-of-state: $73,488 (6.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$36,220

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,125

6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $34,992/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from Fairmont State University land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,125 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,992 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #342 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Fairmont State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Fairmont State University

With 99% of applicants admitted, Fairmont State University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 2,690 students in Fairmont, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Fairmont State 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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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Fairmont State University?

A score of 43/100 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 $432,203 in decade earnings vs $446,824 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →