Political Science and Government at Hartwick College

Oneonta, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,606/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #393 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 $645K $627K $564K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$211,396
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$119,200
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,335
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,216
84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Hartwick College's Political Science and Government program produces graduates earning $36,606/yr — within striking distance of the $36,684 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 3.0x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,335 debt-to-$36,606 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #393 out of 521 programs, Hartwick College's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $36,606 to $67,216 over five years (84% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Hartwick College

Hartwick College's 69% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,099 students in Oneonta, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $119,200 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hartwick College →

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 Hartwick College

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 Hartwick College's Political Science and Government program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →