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Political Science and Government at University of Louisiana at Monroe

Monroe, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,450/yr (-36% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 13.7x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #463 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	$504K	$502K	$470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.7x	13.7x	12.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.9x	5.9x	5.5x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,760

Out-of-state: $85,160 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,532

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,467

12.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,323

85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,450 place University of Louisiana at Monroe below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 13.7x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,467 debt load exceeds a year of the $23,450 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #463 out of 521 programs, University of Louisiana at Monroe's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,450 to $43,323 over five years (85% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Louisiana at Monroe

University of Louisiana at Monroe accepts 75% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 4,891 students in Monroe, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe →

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

Other Majors at University of Louisiana at Monroe

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 Louisiana at Monroe'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.

Do University of Louisiana at Monroe Political Science and Government graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 Louisiana at Monroe?

Lower starting pay at University of Louisiana at Monroe 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 →