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Political Science and Government at Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,912/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #426 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 $565K $556K $511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.2x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.1x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,532
Out-of-state: $90,904 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,200
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,738
100% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,912/yr fall 29% below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 11.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% 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.

A #426 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Northeastern Illinois University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $25,912-to-$51,738 earnings arc over five years reflects a 100% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University has a 70% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 3,869 in Chicago, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 54% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($63,615) Computer Science ($62,831) Accounting and Related Services ($50,475) Human Resources Management and Services ($49,131) Finance and Financial Management Services ($48,807) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,630) Business/Commerce, General ($45,015) Marketing ($43,320)

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 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Northeastern Illinois University?
At 37/100, 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 Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Northeastern Illinois 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 →