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Political Science and Government at Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $59,297/yr (62% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 2.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #186 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

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	$627K	$611K	$552K
Earnings Multiple	2.5x	2.4x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	52	51	46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$249,936

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$48,544

81% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$11,705

2.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$73,221

23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Stanford University's Political Science and Government program earn $59,297/yr in their first year — 62% above the $36,684 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At $11,705 in median debt against $59,297 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #186 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Stanford University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $59,297 to $73,221 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Stanford University

Stanford University admits 4% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, enrolling 7,841 students in Stanford, CA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $48,544 — 81% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Stanford 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 Stanford 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Stanford University?

A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science and Government field.

Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $551,990 in decade earnings vs $626,920 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Stanford University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?

After financial aid, the average student pays $48,544 over four years — 81% below the $249,936 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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