CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · Knoxville, Tennessee

Is Political Science and Government at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville worth it?

High confidence High confidence: 100+ graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 5.2 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$41,318
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$64,526
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$19,500
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$78k (likely $78k – $100k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$27k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in TN
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
5.2 years (likely 4.5–6.3)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$6k (likely −$77k – $43k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$326k (likely $197k – $466k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
74%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Borrowers making progress / in default, 2 years in
not reported / ≤ 10%
NSLDS AY2016-17, AY2017-18 pooled cohorts measured in 2018-19, 2019-20

Change income, residency or loans Compare Political Science and Government at other schools

⚖️ Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward law, government & society majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP U.S. Government and Politics
  • AP U.S. History
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP Comparative Government and Politics

IB Higher Level

  • History HL
  • Global Politics HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Political Science and Government at other schools in Tennessee