Political Science and Government at Connecticut College

Connecticut College's political science program significantly outperforms expectations, landing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile within Connecticut—where Yale is the only in-state school with stronger outcomes. First-year earnings of $46,588 already beat the national median by 31%, and by year four, graduates earn $67,040, nearly double the typical political science graduate nationwide. The debt load of $24,800 sits right at national norms, creating a highly favorable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio that gives graduates real financial flexibility early in their careers.

What's particularly striking is the 44% earnings growth between years one and four, suggesting graduates are accessing career paths with genuine advancement potential rather than hitting early ceiling effects common in some liberal arts fields. Among Connecticut's 22 political science programs, only Yale commands a clear premium, while Connecticut College outpaces larger state universities and peer private institutions. For families weighing Connecticut College's selective admissions (38% acceptance rate) against the investment, this program delivers tangible returns that justify the commitment—these aren't abstract liberal arts outcomes but concrete earnings that track closer to professional degree holders than typical humanities graduates.