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Political Science and Government at Francis Marion University

Florence, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,289/yr (-34% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #493 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 $385K $398K $391K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.6x 8.9x 8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.6x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,640
Out-of-state: $86,176 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,804
-21% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,289/yr fall 34% below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

A 8.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The -2% 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 a 1.1x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #493 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Francis Marion University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Francis Marion University

Francis Marion University has a 82% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 2,640 students in Florence, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Francis Marion 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

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 Francis Marion University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,110) Accounting and Related Services ($44,648) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($39,122) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($39,039) Marketing ($32,494) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($31,583) Sociology ($28,982) Biology, General ($27,223)

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 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Francis Marion University?
At 31/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Political Science and Government degree from Francis Marion University?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Francis Marion University?
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 Francis Marion University a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Francis Marion University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →