Political Science and Government at Canisius University

Canisius University's political science program starts graduates at $31,797—about $3,400 below the New York state median and nearly $4,000 below the national average. While earnings do grow significantly to nearly $49,000 by year four (a 54% jump), that initial year matters enormously when you're carrying $24,000 in debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 isn't terrible, but it means a new graduate is dedicating a substantial chunk of their paycheck to loan payments while trying to establish themselves in Buffalo.

Here's the bigger picture: among New York's 81 political science programs, this one lands at the 40th percentile—essentially middle-of-the-pack in a state where top programs like Columbia and Cornell place graduates earning roughly double what Canisius graduates make initially. The substantial four-year earnings growth suggests graduates are finding their footing and moving into better positions, but that early financial squeeze between modest starting pay and loan obligations creates real stress during a critical career-building period.

One important caveat: the sample size here is small (under 30 graduates), so these numbers could shift considerably with more data. For families comparing Buffalo-area options or considering whether a private liberal arts degree in political science justifies the cost, the four-year earnings trajectory offers some reassurance, but the weak starting position relative to state peers is hard to overlook.