Political Science and Government at East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State University's Political Science program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—ranking at the 60th percentile among Tennessee programs—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. With first-year earnings of $37,594 and debt of $23,000, graduates face a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, better than many liberal arts programs. That said, earnings barely budge over four years, growing just 2% to $38,197, which suggests graduates aren't moving into significantly higher-paying positions as they gain experience.

For Tennessee families, this program offers reasonable value compared to state alternatives. It outperforms the Tennessee median by about $3,000 annually, though it trails flagship options like UT-Chattanooga ($39,490) and sits well below Vanderbilt's $46,843. The modest debt load means graduates won't face crushing payments, but the flat earnings trajectory is worth considering if your student has aspirations requiring graduate school or expects steady career advancement.

The bottom line: this is a solid if unspectacular choice for a political science degree in Tennessee. The combination of manageable debt and middle-of-the-road earnings makes it a reasonable investment, but don't expect dramatic salary growth in those crucial early career years. Just remember that with such a small graduating class in this data set, individual outcomes may vary considerably from these medians.