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Political Science and Government at Furman University

Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,473/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #437 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 $680K $659K $588K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$233,248
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$119,988
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,977
103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,473 track close to the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 2.8x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 14% 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 $27,000 against $34,473/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #437 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Furman University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $34,473-to-$69,977 earnings arc over five years reflects a 103% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Furman University

With a 53% acceptance rate, Furman University is moderately selective, a compact campus enrolling 2,322 students in Greenville, SC. The average net cost of $119,988 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Furman 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 Furman University

Economics ($55,615) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($49,008) Communication and Media Studies ($41,766) Psychology, General ($29,395) Biology, General ($28,801) English Language and Literature, General ($16,583)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Furman University?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Furman 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →