Political Science and Government at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

A bachelor's in political science from CUNY's Graduate Center—a school better known for doctoral programs—sits at an interesting crossroads. Based on comparable programs across New York, first-year earnings around $35,000 align almost exactly with both state and national medians for political science graduates. The estimated $19,500 in debt falls notably below typical borrowing for this major, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 that's quite manageable for a humanities-oriented degree. That half-year-of-salary debt load is significantly better than the $23,500 national median, suggesting CUNY's cost structure works in students' favor.

The gap between these figures and elite programs is stark—Columbia and Cornell political science graduates start around $60,000—but that comparison may miss the point. For families considering CUNY, the value proposition centers on avoiding the crushing debt loads common at private institutions while accessing New York City's government and nonprofit sectors. The real question is career trajectory: political science is notoriously a "pathway" major where graduate school, internships, and connections often matter more than the bachelor's itself.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways. These estimates tell you that similar New York programs produce modest but not alarming outcomes, but they reveal nothing about CUNY Graduate Center's specific placement record or alumni network. For a student planning law school or public service—and prepared to hustle for internships in NYC—the low debt makes sense. For someone expecting the degree alone to launch a career, even $35,000 may disappoint.