Political Science and Government at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,390/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 6.8x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #306 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 $603K $590K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.0x 6.8x 6.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$86,096
Out-of-state: $159,560 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,296
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,415
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,478
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $35,390/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,415 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,390 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #306 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $61,478 show a 74% jump from the $35,390 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 20,189 in Pittsburgh, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh 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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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $535,756 in decade earnings vs $602,512 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →