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Political Science and Government at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,060/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.5x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #327 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 $607K $594K $539K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.7x 10.5x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.3x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 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)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,828
3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,096
97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,060 place University of California-Riverside below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 10.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% 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.

At $18,000 against $30,060/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #327 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places University of California-Riverside in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $30,060-to-$59,096 earnings arc over five years reflects a 97% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Riverside

A 63% admission rate makes University of California-Riverside accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 22,644 students enrolled in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →

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 University of California-Riverside

Computer Science ($81,034) Information Science/Studies ($76,090) Chemical Engineering ($68,245) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($66,430) Computer Engineering ($65,049) Mechanical Engineering ($62,554) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($61,342) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($59,309)

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 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of California-Riverside?
At 43/100, 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 University of California-Riverside?
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 University of California-Riverside a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Riverside'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 →