Political Science and Government at Boston College

Boston College's political science program delivers results that far exceed what most students see nationally, with first-year earnings of $46,764 easily clearing both the national median ($35,627) and Massachusetts average ($43,010) for this major. The 37% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are accessing meaningful career progression, reaching $64,213 by year four. Combined with relatively modest debt of $18,000—well below both national and state medians—this program offers an unusually strong financial foundation for a liberal arts degree.

Within Massachusetts, however, the picture is more nuanced. While BC ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it falls to the 60th percentile among Bay State schools, trailing programs at Tufts, Harvard, Amherst, Williams, and Northeastern's professional offerings. Still, that context matters less than it might seem: BC graduates are borrowing about $7,000 less than the typical Massachusetts political science student while earning more, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.38.

For families considering this program, the key advantage is the combination of BC's strong alumni network and low debt burden. A political science graduate from BC enters the workforce earning 31% more than the typical political science major nationally, with manageable debt that won't constrain early-career choices. That flexibility matters significantly for graduates pursuing graduate school, public service, or competitive entry-level positions where salary may start modest but career trajectory matters more.