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Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Eau Claire, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,268/yr (-28% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (8.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #275 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 $678K $656K $586K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 17.7x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.2x 8.9x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 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)
$37,108
Out-of-state: $74,064 (8.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,792
-83% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,780
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,586
142% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Political Science and Government graduates start at $26,268/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 28%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.7x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,780 represents roughly 9 months of the $26,268 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #275 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $63,586 show a 142% jump from the $26,268 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

A 76% acceptance rate means University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is accessible to most applicants, serving 8,995 students in Eau Claire, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire →

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 Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($73,321) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($71,692) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,250) Accounting and Related Services ($61,379) Management Information Systems and Services ($59,409) Finance and Financial Management Services ($58,812) Marketing ($51,621) Economics ($51,344)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
A score of 47/100 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 $585,862 in decade earnings vs $677,847 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science and Government from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →