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Political Science and Government at Texas Southern University

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,806/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.7x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #338 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 $586K $575K $524K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.0x 15.7x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.6x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,692
Out-of-state: $87,092 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,936
-115% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,750
13.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,608
104% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,806/yr fall 27% below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 15.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $30,750 debt load exceeds a year of the $26,806 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #338 out of 521 programs, Texas Southern University's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,806 to $54,608 over five years (104% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 6,619 in Houston, TX. 71% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($54,327) Finance and Financial Management Services ($53,873) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($44,995) Social Work ($42,333) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($40,304) Accounting and Related Services ($36,961) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($34,661) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($34,332)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Texas Southern University's Political Science and Government program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Texas Southern University Political Science and Government graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 Texas Southern University?
Lower starting pay at Texas Southern University 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 →