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Political Science and Government at Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
54
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,161/yr (29% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #117 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 25%

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 $787K $753K $658K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 54 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,032
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$114,984
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,748
90% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $47,161 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Wake Forest University significantly outpace the $36,684 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

At 2.9x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 16% 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 $22,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Wake Forest University ranks #117 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $47,161-to-$89,748 earnings arc over five years reflects a 90% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Wake Forest University

A 22% acceptance rate puts Wake Forest University in competitive admissions territory, with a mid-sized student body of 5,471 in Winston-Salem, NC. After financial aid, the average student pays $114,984 over four years — 56% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wake Forest University →

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 Wake Forest University

Finance and Financial Management Services ($85,944) Business/Commerce, General ($76,722) Computer Science ($75,625) Economics ($56,416) Sociology ($46,257) Communication and Media Studies ($42,055) Psychology, General ($34,823) English Language and Literature, General ($31,449)

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 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Wake Forest University?
At 54/100, Wake Forest University'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 Wake Forest University?
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.
Is Wake Forest University one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?
Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, Wake Forest University's #117 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Political Science and Government at Wake Forest University?
The 56% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,032. At a net cost of $114,984, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →