Political Science and Government at Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado offers 16 political science bachelor's programs, and this one's estimated outcomes land right at the state median—roughly $38,000 in first-year earnings that climb to nearly $46,000 by year four. That trajectory suggests meaningful earning growth after graduation, though similar programs at CU Boulder and Metro State produce slightly higher starting figures. The estimated $20,250 in debt sits comfortably below both state and national medians for this major, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 that's manageable even on entry-level salaries.

What gives these estimates useful context is that they're drawn from multiple Colorado programs at similar institutions, suggesting they reflect realistic regional employment patterns for political science graduates rather than wishful thinking. The four-year earnings jump to $45,892 is particularly meaningful—it indicates that graduates who stick with careers in this field see substantial salary progression, which matters when you're shouldering student loans. That said, CSU Pueblo's 100% admission rate and modest average SAT scores suggest a different student population than CU Boulder or Denver, which could affect networking opportunities and career placement support.

For a family concerned about return on investment, this program offers a relatively safe debt profile paired with earnings that meet state standards. The key unknown is whether this specific campus provides the internship connections and career services that turn a political science degree into concrete job offers rather than extended job searches.