Political Science and Government at American University

American University's political science certificate starts with solid first-year earnings of $51,222—beating three-quarters of similar programs nationally—but the real story is what happens next. By year four, graduates see earnings jump 26% to over $64,000, suggesting this credential opens doors that lead somewhere. That trajectory matters more than the respectable but unspectacular starting point.

The debt picture looks manageable: $23,250 leaves graduates with a ratio of 0.45, meaning less than half a year's starting salary in loans. That's considerably better than most programs nationally (31st percentile for debt), though worth noting this reflects data from 30-100 graduates. AU's location in DC likely helps—political science credentials carry weight in a city built on government and policy work, and the strong earnings growth suggests graduates are successfully leveraging that geographic advantage.

The key question is whether a certificate program justifies this investment versus completing a full bachelor's degree. These earnings are solid for a sub-degree credential, and the upward trajectory suggests it's functioning as intended—either as a professional credential for career changers or a complement to other qualifications. If your student already has some college credit or relevant experience, this could be an efficient path into DC's policy ecosystem. But if they're starting from scratch, a traditional four-year degree might offer more flexibility down the road.