Political Science and Government at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,345/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #227 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 $704K $679K $603K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 11.9x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.6x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 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)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,454
129% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Wayne State University's Political Science and Government graduates start at $30,345/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x 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 $22,250 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,345 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #227 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Wayne State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $69,454 show a 129% jump from the $30,345 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Wayne State University

A 82% acceptance rate means Wayne State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State 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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wayne State University

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 Wayne State University?
A score of 48/100 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 $603,107 in decade earnings vs $703,774 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science and Government from Wayne State University?
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 →