Political Science and Government at CUNY City College

City College graduates in political science start well below their peers—earning just $29,823 in the first year, which lands in the bottom quarter of New York programs and the bottom fifth nationally. The low debt load of $11,500 (among the lowest 5% nationally) softens the blow, but parents need to understand their child will likely struggle financially in those first years out of college.

The dramatic turnaround comes by year four, when earnings jump 78% to $53,184. That's a meaningful trajectory, though it still trails the state's top programs by $20,000-30,000. What's notable is that 60% of City College students receive Pell grants, meaning many graduates are already managing tight budgets before adding post-graduation financial pressures. Even modest debt becomes harder to service when starting salaries barely cover New York City rent.

For families comfortable with a longer payoff timeline and minimal debt burden, this program offers a path forward—particularly if your child plans to stay in public service or nonprofit work where early salaries are universally low. But if they need immediate earning power or are comparing to elite NY programs where graduates start at $60,000+, understand you're choosing affordability over early-career income. The trade-off works best for students who can live at home initially or have financial cushion to weather those lean first years.