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Political Science and Government at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,442/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.5x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #228 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 $622K $607K $549K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.9x 15.5x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.7x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,260
Out-of-state: $106,320 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,004
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,469
10.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,348
105% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,442 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Mississippi State University earn below the $36,684 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 15.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% 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 $25,469 against $29,442/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #228 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Mississippi State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $29,442-to-$60,348 earnings arc over five years reflects a 105% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Mississippi State University

With 76% of applicants admitted, Mississippi State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 18,092 in Mississippi State, MS.

See all programs and financial aid at Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,896) Chemical Engineering ($78,183) Mechanical Engineering ($75,161) Construction Management ($72,712) Computer Engineering ($72,529) Industrial Engineering ($70,703) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($69,056) Engineering, Other ($68,045)

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 does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Mississippi State University?
At 48/100, 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 Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State University a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Mississippi State 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 →