Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree) at Bowie State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$39,616

Est. from MD median (10 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,580

Est. from MD median (8 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable political science programs in Maryland, this degree would leave graduates with roughly $22,580 in debt against first-year earnings near $39,600—a manageable ratio that beats many liberal arts programs. The estimated earnings align with Maryland's state median for political science degrees and exceed the national benchmark by about $4,000, suggesting the state's proximity to federal government opportunities may lift outcomes for all Maryland programs in this field.

However, the comparison with other Maryland schools reveals significant variability. Programs at UMD-College Park and Towson—both public universities—report actual earnings in the low $40,000s, while UMD Global Campus shows substantially higher returns. This spread suggests that institutional differences, internship networks, and proximity to D.C. employers matter considerably. Bowie State serves a population where 44% receive Pell grants, and while the estimated debt burden appears reasonable, families should recognize these figures derive from peer programs rather than verified outcomes from Bowie State graduates specifically.

The practical reality: political science degrees typically require strategic career planning regardless of where they're earned. If your child is serious about government or nonprofit work and needs to stay close to home, this program's estimated debt-to-earnings profile won't create immediate financial stress. But push hard on internship access, career services, and alumni networks during campus visits—those factors likely explain the $20,000 gap between Maryland's strongest and average programs in this field.

Where Bowie State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (21 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Bowie State UniversityBowie	$8,999	$39,616*	—	$22,580*	—
University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi	$7,992	$62,476*	$67,609	$17,600*	0.28
Loyola University MarylandBaltimore	$55,480	$44,572*	$62,443	$27,000*	0.61
University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park	$11,505	$42,688*	$67,120	$18,768*	0.44
Towson UniversityTowson	$11,306	$42,648*	$53,217	$20,875*	0.49
Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg	$9,998	$41,332*	$60,798	$25,000*	0.60
National Median	—	$35,627*	—	$23,500*	0.66

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bowie State University, approximately 44% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in MD. Actual outcomes may vary.