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Political Science and Government at Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,026/yr (61% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #241 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

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 $585K $574K $524K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$261,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,736
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,297
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$67,080
14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Middlebury College's Political Science and Government program earn $59,026/yr in their first year — 61% above the $36,684 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,297 in median debt against $59,026 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #241 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Middlebury College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Middlebury College

Middlebury College admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with a smaller student body of 2,785 in Middlebury, VT. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $103,736 — 60% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Middlebury 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 Middlebury College

Economics ($85,879) Computer Science ($80,158) International Relations and National Security Studies ($68,344) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($46,758) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($44,585) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($44,142) Psychology, General ($43,839) Area Studies ($40,467)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Middlebury College?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $524,065 in decade earnings vs $584,934 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Middlebury College a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?
After financial aid, the average student pays $103,736 over four years — 60% below the $261,120 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →