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Political Science and Government at University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,363/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #190 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

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 $565K $556K $511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.8x 9.7x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.7x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,352
Out-of-state: $117,440 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,252
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,597
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,896
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,363 track close to the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

A 9.7x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 10% 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 $18,597 in median debt against $38,363 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #190 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places University of Illinois Chicago in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $38,363-to-$57,896 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Illinois Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 21,814 students enrolled in Chicago, IL. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Chicago →

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 Illinois Chicago

Computer Science ($78,040) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,045) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($72,926) Computer Engineering ($71,148) Mechanical Engineering ($69,871) Civil Engineering ($69,310) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,781) Accounting and Related Services ($65,680)

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

What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of Illinois Chicago?
At 50/100, University of Illinois Chicago's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at University of Illinois Chicago?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →