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Political Science and Government at Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,454/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 19.0x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #351 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	$421K	$429K	$415K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.7x	19.0x	18.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.3x	6.4x	6.2x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$22,532

Out-of-state: $67,244 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$53,972

-140% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,035

10.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $30,454 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Fort Hays State University earn below the $36,684 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 19.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,035 debt-to-$30,454 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #351 out of 521 programs, Fort Hays State University's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Fort Hays State University

With 92% of applicants admitted, Fort Hays State University prioritizes broad access, serving 9,792 students in Hays, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Fort Hays 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

Other Majors at Fort Hays State University

Consider the Trade Route?

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

How does Fort Hays State University's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Political Science and Government to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Political Science and Government careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Political Science and Government earnings lower at Fort Hays State University?

Lower starting pay at Fort Hays State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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