Political Science and Government at Alfred University

New York's political science graduates at comparable institutions typically earn around $35,000 in their first year—a modest start that makes the estimated $23,500 in debt at Alfred University a significant financial weight. That 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would dedicate roughly eight months of gross income just to cover their loans, before taxes and living expenses. For a liberal arts degree that often leads to graduate school or entry-level public sector work, this creates immediate financial pressure.

The gap between Alfred's likely outcomes and top-performing New York programs is stark. Elite schools like Columbia and Cornell place their political science graduates into $60,000+ first-year salaries—nearly double what peer institutions suggest for Alfred. While those schools operate in different competitive tiers, the comparison highlights how outcomes in this field depend heavily on institutional prestige and alumni networks. Alfred's 48% admission rate and solid SAT scores indicate a respectable but not elite-positioned program.

For parents, the question is whether their child's post-graduation plans justify this investment. If law school, an MPP, or other graduate work is the goal, the bachelor's degree becomes a stepping stone rather than an endpoint—and that undergraduate debt compounds with future borrowing. If they're heading straight to work in campaigns, nonprofits, or government offices, those sectors typically pay entry-level salaries that align with these estimates, making the debt manageable but not comfortable.