Political Science and Government at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

Similar political science programs in New Jersey suggest first-year earnings around $35,600—right at the national median for this degree. The estimated $27,000 in debt is slightly above both state and national benchmarks for political science programs, though the 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable compared to many other fields. With 69% of students receiving Pell grants, Bloomfield serves a predominantly working-class population where every dollar of debt matters more.

The reality is that political science degrees rarely lead to high immediate earnings regardless of where you study. Princeton graduates earn $63,300 in their first year, but even top public universities like Rutgers and The College of New Jersey see their political science graduates starting around $40,000. The projected $35,600 for Bloomfield-trained graduates falls within the typical range for the major, not the school. Whether political science leads to law school, nonprofit work, or government service, those career paths often involve additional credentials or years of lower pay before financial stability arrives.

For families counting on immediate return from a bachelor's degree alone, this combination of modest estimated earnings and above-average debt requires careful consideration. Political science can open doors, but those doors typically don't lead to first-year salaries that quickly justify borrowing $27,000—especially when the school's actual graduate outcomes remain unknown.