Political Science and Government at Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,795/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.0x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #354 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 $538K $532K $493K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.1x 10.0x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.1x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,216
Out-of-state: $75,200 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,940
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,199
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,063
59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northern Michigan University's Political Science and Government program produces graduates earning $32,795/yr — within striking distance of the $36,684 national average for this field.

At 10.0x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,199 in median debt clears quickly against $32,795 in annual earnings.

At #354 out of 521 programs, Northern Michigan University's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $32,795 to $52,063 over five years (59% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University's 70% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 6,425 in Marquette, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Michigan 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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northern Michigan University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does Northern Michigan 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.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →