Political Science and Government at Bennington College

Is a political science degree worth roughly $26,000 in debt when comparable Vermont programs suggest first-year earnings around $39,000? The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 sits in reasonable territory—you're not looking at a crushing burden relative to income. For context, similar political science programs across Vermont show a wide earnings spread, from Middlebury's $59,000 (though that's an outlier) down to UVM's $32,000. Bennington's estimated placement in this range suggests middle-of-the-pack outcomes for a highly selective liberal arts environment.

The practical reality: at $26,000 in estimated debt, monthly payments would run roughly $280-300 on a standard 10-year plan, which is manageable on a $39,000 salary but leaves little room for error if your child doesn't land solid employment quickly. Political science degrees notoriously depend on what students do with them—government work, nonprofit positions, law school preparation, or corporate training programs all lead to vastly different financial trajectories. The first-year figure represents entry-level positioning, not a ceiling.

Given that these are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than Bennington's actual graduates, treat this as a rough compass rather than GPS coordinates. The key question isn't whether the numbers pencil out perfectly—it's whether your child has a concrete plan for converting a political science degree into stable employment or graduate school admission that justifies the investment.