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Political Science and Government at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,294/yr (-37% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #416 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	$593K	$581K	$529K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.0x	12.7x	11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.4x	4.9x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	38	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$45,744

Out-of-state: $108,000 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$43,664

5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

10.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$52,865

127% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Kentucky University's Political Science and Government graduates start at $23,294/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 37%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 12.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,500 debt-to-$23,294 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #416 out of 521 programs, Western Kentucky University's financial outcomes for Political Science and Government trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,294 to $52,865 over five years (127% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Kentucky University

A 97% acceptance rate means Western Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky 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 Western Kentucky University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does Western Kentucky University's Political Science and Government program score?

This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Political Science and Government. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Political Science and Government to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Political Science and Government careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Political Science and Government earnings lower at Western Kentucky University?

Lower starting pay at Western Kentucky University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →