Political Science and Government at Colgate University

At $56,064 in first-year earnings, Colgate's political science graduates earn 57% more than the national median for this major and match the results at elite peers like Barnard and Hamilton. More impressive is the trajectory: earnings jump to nearly $86,000 by year four, a 53% increase that suggests graduates are landing jobs with genuine advancement potential rather than just entry-level positions. With debt of just $16,250—about $7,000 below the national median for this major—the financial burden is remarkably light compared to the payoff.

Among New York's 81 political science programs, Colgate ranks in the 95th percentile for earnings, competing directly with Columbia and Cornell despite being a much smaller liberal arts college. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) is typical for a selective institution and shouldn't raise concerns about data reliability. The low debt combined with Colgate's 12% admission rate suggests strong institutional aid that helps students avoid excessive borrowing while accessing the networking and career placement advantages of an elite college.

For families who can secure admission, this program delivers exceptional value for a liberal arts major often criticized for poor ROI. The earnings place graduates well above typical political science outcomes while keeping debt burdens manageable—a combination that's rare in this field.