Political Science and Government at Bowdoin College

Bowdoin political science graduates earn $60,626 their first year—70% more than the national median for this major and substantially above even elite Maine competitors like Colby ($54,353) and Bates ($41,055). At the 95th percentile nationally and 80th in Maine, these outcomes reflect real market value, not just the prestige of an 8% admission rate. Earnings climb to $69,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are landing career-track positions rather than just temporary jobs.

The $19,634 median debt sits right at Maine's state median, though it's lower than the national average. More importantly, with a 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates owe about four months of first-year salary—a manageable burden even for a liberal arts degree. This matters because political science often struggles with weak earnings relative to debt at less selective schools, where graduates might earn $35,000 while carrying $25,000+ in loans.

The caveat: only 16% of students receive Pell grants, meaning most families here can likely afford the sticker price or have substantial resources. If your child qualifies for Bowdoin's need-based aid (which they claim is generous), this represents exceptional value for a humanities degree. If you'd be full-pay at a private school anyway, these earnings justify the investment far better than typical political science programs.