Political Science and Government at Bentley University

Bentley University's political science program sits in an unusual position—a business-focused institution with a selective mid-tier admissions profile charging for a liberal arts degree that typically leads to modest early earnings. Based on comparable programs across Massachusetts, graduates can expect around $43,000 in first-year earnings against an estimated $25,000 in debt, which produces a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, this puts the program squarely at the state median while the school's private university price tag likely exceeds what many Massachusetts public institutions charge for similar outcomes.

The gap between Bentley's estimated figures and top Massachusetts programs is substantial—Tufts and Harvard political science graduates earn 50% more in their first year. This matters because political science careers often require graduate education or extended credential-building, meaning early earnings may need to cover additional schooling costs. The estimated debt figure assumes typical borrowing patterns for private Massachusetts institutions, but families should verify actual costs given Bentley's business school reputation may command premium tuition even for non-business majors.

For a political science degree at Bentley's price point, you're betting on the school's business network and internship connections translating into better-than-typical liberal arts outcomes. If those advantages don't materialize—or if your child plans graduate school regardless—the same $25,000 in estimated debt could fund a political science degree at UMass Amherst with money left over. Request actual placement data and salary outcomes specific to Bentley's political science graduates before committing.