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Political Science and Government at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
62
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,708/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 5%

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 $678K $656K $586K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.0x 16.4x 14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.7x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 62 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,774
83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,708 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Purdue University-Main Campus earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 16.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% 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.

The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Purdue University-Main Campus ranks #17 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $39,708-to-$72,774 earnings arc over five years reflects a 83% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

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)

Compare Political Science and Government

Purdue University-Main Campus vs Dartmouth College → Purdue University-Main Campus vs University of Pennsylvania → Purdue University-Main Campus vs University of Maryland Global Campus → Purdue University-Main Campus vs Harvard University →

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Science ($94,786) Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966)

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

What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 62/100, Purdue University-Main Campus's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Purdue University-Main Campus?
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 Purdue University-Main Campus one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?
Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, Purdue University-Main Campus's #17 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →