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Political Science and Government at University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,574/yr (-28% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (8.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #375 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	$616K	$602K	$545K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.0x	11.8x	10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.9x	8.7x	7.9x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	41	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,196

Out-of-state: $68,956 (8.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,924

-17% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,408

11.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,740

117% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,574 place University of Akron Main Campus below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 11.8x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,408 debt-to-$26,574 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #375 out of 521 programs, University of Akron Main Campus's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,574 to $57,740 over five years (117% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Akron Main Campus

University of Akron Main Campus accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 10,011 students in Akron, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Akron Main Campus →

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 University of Akron Main Campus's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 41/100 — 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.

Why are Political Science and Government earnings lower at University of Akron Main Campus?

Lower starting pay at University of Akron Main Campus 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 →