Political Science and Government at Coppin State University

Coppin State serves a majority-Pell student population, and while both earnings and debt figures here are estimates based on similar Maryland programs, they suggest a manageable financial picture. The estimated $22,580 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57—well below the red-flag threshold of 1.0 and indicating monthly payments that should be feasible on a political science graduate's starting salary.

The estimated $39,616 first-year earnings align with Maryland's state median for political science programs and sit above the national median of $35,627. However, Maryland's political science landscape is competitive: the top programs report first-year earnings ranging from $41,000 to over $62,000. Similar programs across the state typically produce outcomes near this estimate, but there's clearly variation depending on factors like internship opportunities, alumni networks, and proximity to government employers in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

The real question is whether this program provides the connections and practical experience needed to compete for better-paying positions in government, nonprofits, or advocacy organizations. For a family focused on minimizing debt while accessing Maryland's robust public sector job market, the estimated financial picture is workable. But given the lack of actual outcome data, parents should dig into placement rates, internship partnerships, and where recent graduates have landed jobs—information that matters more than statewide averages when you're trying to gauge this specific program's value.