Political Science and Government at Brigham Young University

BYU's Political Science program stands out nationally but tells a nuanced Utah story. Graduates earn $47,020 in their first year—landing in the 95th percentile nationally but the 60th percentile within Utah. That state ranking matters: BYU trails the University of Utah ($45,112) slightly, though it outpaces Utah State and Utah Valley by meaningful margins. More impressive is the trajectory: earnings jump 44% to $67,496 by year four, suggesting strong career progression rather than just solid starting positions.

The financial picture is exceptional. With just $11,745 in median debt—half the national median and well below Utah's typical $17,976—graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25. That's manageable by any standard, easily cleared within months of employment. The combination of BYU's lower tuition structure and strong graduate outcomes creates genuine affordability that most political science programs can't match.

For Utah families, this program delivers clear value despite not leading the state in starting salaries. The minimal debt burden and strong earnings growth pattern suggest graduates aren't boxed into immediately lucrative but ultimately limiting career paths. They have flexibility to pursue graduate school, public service, or entry-level positions that develop into higher-paying careers—options that become much harder when carrying typical political science program debt loads.