Political Science and Government at Daemen University

A Political Science degree from Daemen appears to track right alongside typical outcomes for New York programs in this field—estimated first-year earnings of $35,158 match the state median exactly, while estimated debt of $23,500 sits just slightly above it. With a 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates would face roughly eight months of their first year's salary in student loans, which falls within manageable territory for a bachelor's degree. That said, this outcome estimate reflects what's typical across dozens of New York programs, not necessarily what Daemen's specific graduates achieve.

The gap between Daemen's estimated outcomes and the state's elite programs is stark—Columbia and Cornell graduates earn nearly double in their first year. But comparing a small private university to Ivy League institutions misses the point. The more relevant question is whether $35,000 in starting salary justifies four years of college when political science careers often require graduate degrees for advancement. Many paths in government, policy work, or advocacy involve years of internships or entry-level positions before meaningful salary growth kicks in.

For families, this means understanding that the degree estimate suggests neither an obvious win nor a cautionary tale—it's squarely average. If your child has clear career goals that genuinely require this credential and Daemen offers financial aid that keeps debt below this $23,500 mark, the investment could make sense. But if they're exploring broadly or uncertain about their path, recognize that political science alone may not provide immediate career traction.