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Political Science and Government at The College of Wooster

Wooster, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,727/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 2.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #467 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	$493K	$493K	$463K
Earnings Multiple	2.1x	2.1x	1.9x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$238,200

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$103,064

57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,784

8.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,531

23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The College of Wooster's Political Science and Government graduates start at $38,727/yr — above the $36,684 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 2.1x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,784 debt-to-$38,727 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #467 out of 521 programs, The College of Wooster's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,727 to $47,531 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The College of Wooster

The College of Wooster's 54% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,876 students in Wooster, OH. The average net cost of $103,064 over four years represents a 57% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The College of Wooster →

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

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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

How does The College of Wooster's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 34/100 — 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.

How affordable is Political Science and Government at The College of Wooster after financial aid?

Sticker price is $238,200, but the average net cost is $103,064 — a 57% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.

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