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Political Science and Government at North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,948/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #356 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 $545K $539K $498K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.8x 20.6x 19.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.9x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$26,168
Out-of-state: $78,312 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,112
-130% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,000
13.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,987
96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,948/yr fall 32% below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 20.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $28,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $24,948 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #356 out of 521 programs, North Carolina Central University's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,948 to $48,987 over five years (96% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 5,400 students in Durham, NC. 57% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina Central 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 North Carolina Central University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($76,142) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($74,597) Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration ($62,022) Accounting and Related Services ($48,489) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,773) Public Health ($38,198) Social Sciences, General ($35,978) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($35,819)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 North Carolina Central University's Political Science and Government program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do North Carolina Central University Political Science and Government graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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.
Why are Political Science and Government earnings lower at North Carolina Central University?
Lower starting pay at North Carolina Central University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →