Political Science and Government at Brigham Young University-Idaho

BYU-Idaho's political science graduates start below average but deliver something unexpected: dramatic income growth that transforms the value proposition. While first-year earnings of $32,983 trail the national median by about $2,600, by year four these graduates are earning $55,961—a 70% jump that outpaces typical career progression in this field. Among Idaho's seven political science programs, this lands in the 60th percentile, edging out larger state universities.

The real advantage here is debt. At $16,551, graduates carry roughly 30% less than the national median and significantly less than Idaho's state average. Combined with that steep earnings curve, the debt burden becomes manageable quickly—the 0.50 ratio at graduation improves substantially as careers develop. This pattern suggests graduates are accessing career opportunities that many political science majors struggle to find early on, possibly through the university's extensive church-affiliated professional networks.

For families concerned about liberal arts ROI, this program offers a practical path: modest upfront debt paired with strong mid-career momentum. The key is weathering that first year when earnings lag behind, but the four-year trajectory shows graduates aren't stuck in entry-level positions. If your student values the cultural fit BYU-Idaho provides and can handle a slower start financially, the long-term numbers work better than the initial snapshot suggests.