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Political Science and Government at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,804/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #439 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 $537K $532K $492K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.6x 13.5x 12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,436
Out-of-state: $79,756 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,000
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,563
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,968
93% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,804 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley earn below the $36,684 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 13.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% 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 $9,563 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #439 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $24,804-to-$47,968 earnings arc over five years reflects a 93% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

With 85% of applicants admitted, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 27,026 in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,619) Mechanical Engineering ($60,924) Computer Engineering ($57,841) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($56,421) Music ($56,373) Civil Engineering ($54,182) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($49,910) Social Sciences, General ($47,248)

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 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →