Political Science and Government at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Baruch's political science program starts with unusually low first-year earnings—$31,005 puts graduates below three-quarters of similar programs nationally—but the trajectory tells a more interesting story. By year four, median earnings jump to $57,496, an 85% increase that suggests graduates are finding their footing in New York's competitive job market. That later salary nearly matches what Columbia grads earn right out of the gate, though it takes Baruch students three extra years to get there.

The debt picture provides crucial relief: at just $12,000, graduates carry half what the typical New York political science major owes and roughly half the national median. That means even during those lean first years, the debt burden remains manageable—about 40% of first-year income versus the often-cited 1.0 threshold for concern. For a program serving primarily working-class students (55% receive Pell grants), this matters enormously.

The real question is whether your child can weather those first few years earning below $35,000 in one of America's most expensive cities. If they're willing to live frugally—perhaps at home—while building connections in finance, policy, or nonprofit work, the low debt load and strong earnings growth create a viable path. Just understand this isn't a program that delivers immediate financial returns like tech or nursing might.