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Political Science and Government at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
59
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,246/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #48 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 10%

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 $633K $617K $556K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.0x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.7x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 59 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,268
Out-of-state: $168,684 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,068
22% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,290
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,104
65% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,246 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from University of Washington-Tacoma Campus earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 12.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% 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.

The median debt load of $13,290 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #48 of 521 programs, this Political Science and Government program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $41,246-to-$68,104 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

With 83% of applicants admitted, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 3,989 students in Tacoma, WA. With 40% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Tacoma 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

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 Washington-Tacoma Campus

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($86,212) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($81,989) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($73,385) Civil Engineering ($73,357) Mechanical Engineering ($66,947) Finance and Financial Management Services ($63,500) Accounting and Related Services ($62,731) Marketing ($51,530)

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 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?
At 59/100, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus'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 Washington-Tacoma Campus?
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 →