Political Science and Government at Cornell University

Cornell's Political Science program produces exceptional outcomes that dwarf both national and state expectations—graduates earn $60,292 in their first year, nearly double New York's median of $35,158 for this degree. Among 81 New York programs, Cornell ranks at the very top of the 95th percentile, competing directly with Columbia ($61,077) and surpassing elite liberal arts schools like Hamilton and Barnard. Nationally, these outcomes beat 95% of all political science programs, making this one of the strongest returns available for the degree.

The debt picture reinforces this value. At $14,400, graduates carry roughly a third of what's typical for political science majors nationwide ($23,500), resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24—essentially paying off loans in under three months of gross income. Earnings growth to $72,438 by year four suggests graduates are entering career tracks with real advancement potential, not just short-term opportunities.

For families who can manage Cornell's admission bar (8% acceptance rate) and net costs, this represents an unusually strong financial case for studying political science. The combination of top-tier earnings, minimal debt burden, and robust sample size makes this one of the safest bets in a field often criticized for weak returns. The numbers suggest Cornell's network and credential open doors that most political science degrees simply don't access.