Occupations/19-3094.00
Political Scientists
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
Usually a graduate or professional degree.
AI automation risk
60%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
24%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
19%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Teach political science.
- Mostly human
Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Mostly human
Advise political science students.
The tasks we can read here lean on people, judgment, or hands-on work. The AI risk number is still this job’s rank against other occupations.
Core tasks
- 01Teach political science.
- 02Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- 03Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- 04Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- 05Advise political science students.
- 06Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.16
- Degree of automation1.64
- Time sitting4.04
- Originality (ability)3.12
- Conflict situations2.50
- Hands-on objects/tools1.19
- Outdoors / weather1.16
- Disease exposure1.20
- Decision freedom4.85
Top abilities
- Written Comprehension4.62
- Oral Expression4.12
- Oral Comprehension4.12
- Written Expression4.00
- Speech Clarity4.00
- Inductive Reasoning4.00
- Speech Recognition3.88
- Deductive Reasoning3.75
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.25
- Active Listening4.12
- Writing4.00
- Speaking4.12
- Mathematics3.00
- Science2.62
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning4.12
- Learning Strategies3.50
- Monitoring2.88
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 79 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | Public Policy Analysis, General 44.0501 | $60,100 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $85,423 2 yr $84,358 Master's · CIP 44.05 |
Georgetown University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Public Policy Analysis, General 44.0501 | $65,400 | 12% | 95% | 1 yr $75,149 2 yr $77,329 Master's · CIP 44.05 |
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Public | Public Policy Analysis, General 44.0501 | $5,200 | 100% | 21% | 1 yr $63,005 2 yr $50,231 Professional · CIP 44.05 |
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | International/Globalization Studies 30.2001 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr $62,012 2 yr $38,289 Master's · CIP 30.20 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Public Policy Analysis, General 44.0501 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $60,161 2 yr — Master's · CIP 44.05 |
New York University New York, NY · Private nonprofit | International Relations and Affairs 45.0901 | $60,400 | 12% | 88% | 1 yr $52,684 2 yr $55,625 Master's · CIP 45.09 |
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public | International Relations and Affairs 45.0901 | $6,500 | 25% | 84% | 1 yr $50,270 2 yr $29,685 Master's · CIP 45.09 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public | Public Policy Analysis, General 44.0501 | $17,400 | 64% | 83% | 1 yr $47,930 2 yr $48,432 Master's · CIP 44.05 |
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | International/Globalization Studies 30.2001 | $15,200 | 24% | 87% | 1 yr $44,971 2 yr $43,798 Bachelor's · CIP 30.20 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | International/Globalization Studies 30.2001 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $44,356 2 yr $46,560 Master's · CIP 30.20 |
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN · Public | Political Science and Government, General 45.1001 | $16,108 | 75% | 81% | 1 yr $43,798 2 yr $36,745 Bachelor's · CIP 45.10 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC · Public | International/Globalization Studies 30.2001 | $9,000 | 17% | 91% | 1 yr $42,682 2 yr — Master's · CIP 30.20 |