Political Science and Government at Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia's political science graduates earn nearly double what typical poli-sci majors make nationwide—$61,077 versus a national median of just $35,627. Even among New York's 81 programs, Columbia sits at the very top (95th percentile), edging out Cornell and other elite institutions. This represents perhaps the clearest case you'll find where institutional prestige directly translates to post-graduation outcomes in a liberal arts field that typically struggles with earnings.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at under $23,000, graduates carry manageable loans that represent just 38% of first-year earnings. While political science majors at most schools face annual salaries below $36,000, Columbia grads see their income jump to nearly $80,000 by year four—a 30% increase that suggests strong career trajectory into policy, law, consulting, or finance roles. The 4% admission rate reflects selectivity that creates powerful networking effects and employer confidence.

For families who can navigate Columbia's admissions process, this program delivers tangible returns that justify the investment. The combination of low relative debt and earnings that dramatically outpace both state and national peers makes this one of the few political science programs where the financial calculus clearly works in graduates' favor.