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Political Science and Government at Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
29
Optimistic
29
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,846/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #507 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 $412K $421K $409K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.1x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 29 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$202,040
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$131,860
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Ithaca College's Political Science and Government graduates start at $28,846/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 2.1x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 1% 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 $19,500 against $28,846/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #507 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Ithaca College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Ithaca College

Ithaca College's 70% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 4,350 in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $131,860 over four years — 35% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Ithaca 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

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 Ithaca College

Computer Science ($70,239) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($48,249) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,306) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($39,446) Journalism ($34,453) Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences ($32,794) Public Health ($32,112) Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($30,355)

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 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Ithaca College?
At 29/100, 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 Ithaca College?
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 Ithaca College a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Ithaca College'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 →