Political Science and Government at College of Staten Island CUNY

The most striking feature of College of Staten Island's political science program is how quickly graduates recover from a rough start: earnings jump 60% between year one and year four, reaching $55,262—well above both the national and New York state medians. That first year at $34,610 looks weak, sitting in just the 40th percentile among New York programs, but the trajectory tells a different story about career development.

The real advantage here is financial: at $12,603 in debt, CSI graduates carry barely half what's typical for this major nationally or in New York. That's in the 95th percentile—meaning only 5% of programs nationwide leave students with less debt. With barely four months of first-year earnings needed to cover the debt, graduates have genuine breathing room while their careers accelerate.

This pattern makes sense for a CUNY school serving a largely working-class student body (49% receive Pell grants), where many graduates may start in entry-level positions while building professional networks. Yes, elite programs like Columbia produce higher initial earnings, but their graduates typically carry substantially more debt. For families prioritizing affordability and long-term growth over immediate post-graduation salary, CSI delivers a solid return—especially if your student is willing to hustle through those early career years when the payoff takes shape.