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Political Science and Government at Oberlin College

Oberlin, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,187/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #502 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	$667K	$647K	$579K
Earnings Multiple	2.6x	2.5x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	30	30	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$258,584

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$156,736

39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

9.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$65,609

117% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,187 place Oberlin College below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 2.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,250 debt-to-$30,187 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #502 out of 521 programs, Oberlin College's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $30,187 to $65,609 over five years (117% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Oberlin College

Oberlin College accepts 33% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a smaller student body of 2,950 in Oberlin, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $156,736 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Oberlin 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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Oberlin College

Consider the Trade Route?

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 Oberlin College's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 30/100 — 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.

Why are Political Science and Government earnings lower at Oberlin College?

Lower starting pay at Oberlin College 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 →