Political Science and Government at Baylor University

Baylor's political science program starts rough but recovers impressively. That $32,981 first-year salary lands below both Texas and national medians, but the 79% earnings jump to $59,016 by year four tells a different story—graduates nearly double their income within three years of leaving campus. This trajectory matters more than the slow start, especially since the $26,000 debt burden is manageable relative to where earnings end up.

The challenge is weathering those early years. Starting $1,400 below the Texas median for political science programs puts Baylor graduates in the bottom half among in-state options, though they're beating private competitors like TCU and SMU on debt loads. By year four, however, Baylor grads have caught up to most state programs and are earning substantially more than typical political science majors nationwide. The relatively low debt helps—at the 25th percentile nationally, Baylor students borrow less than 75% of programs offering this degree.

For families willing to bet on the longer trajectory rather than immediate post-graduation earnings, this works. The degree appears to open doors that take time to walk through, possibly reflecting Baylor's network strength or the types of career paths graduates pursue. Just budget carefully for those first two years when income will be tight relative to debt payments.