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Political Science and Government at Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,266/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #322 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 $512K $509K $475K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$229,600
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$106,156
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$52,101
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Susquehanna University Political Science and Government graduates command $46,266/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,684 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $46,266 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #322 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Susquehanna University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Susquehanna University

A 79% acceptance rate means Susquehanna University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,120 students in Selinsgrove, PA. The average net cost of $106,156 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Susquehanna 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 Susquehanna University

Accounting and Related Services ($65,209) Finance and Financial Management Services ($57,855) Marketing ($52,085) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($51,350) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($47,220) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,685) Design and Applied Arts ($42,510) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($36,632)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at Susquehanna University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $475,293 in decade earnings vs $511,610 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Susquehanna University a hidden gem for Political Science and Government?
After financial aid, the average student pays $106,156 over four years — 54% below the $229,600 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 →