Political Science and Government at University of Nevada-Reno

Reno, NV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,403/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.8x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #178 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 $580K $570K $521K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.1x 15.8x 14.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.5x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,976
Out-of-state: $103,800 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,608
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,891
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,762
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Nevada-Reno's Political Science and Government program produces graduates earning $33,403/yr — within striking distance of the $36,684 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,891 represents roughly 6 months of the $33,403 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #178 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of Nevada-Reno scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $57,762 show a 73% jump from the $33,403 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Nevada-Reno

A 85% acceptance rate means University of Nevada-Reno is accessible to most applicants, serving 15,723 students in Reno, NV.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nevada-Reno →

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 Nevada-Reno

Consider the Trade Route?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at University of Nevada-Reno?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science and Government field.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $521,007 in decade earnings vs $580,336 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →