Political Science and Government at Emory & Henry University

A debt load of $27,000 for a bachelor's that leads to first-year earnings around $41,500—the Virginia median for political science programs—creates a manageable but not effortless financial picture. The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within reasonable territory, though it means graduates will likely feel the monthly payments as they establish themselves professionally. With 41% of students receiving Pell grants, Emory & Henry serves a population for whom this debt matters considerably.

What's less clear is whether Emory & Henry's specific program matches the state median it's being compared against. The most successful political science programs in Virginia—at UVA, George Mason, and Liberty—report first-year earnings in the $45,000-$47,000 range, suggesting there's variation even among Virginia schools. The national picture ($35,627 median) trails Virginia by nearly $6,000, which at least indicates the state context is relatively strong for this major.

The uncertainty here should influence your calculus. If your student has strong networking capabilities, internship access in Richmond or DC, or graduate school plans that can leverage Emory & Henry's liberal arts foundation, the estimated debt burden remains manageable. But if they're counting on the degree alone to launch a career with clear earning potential, you're operating with limited visibility into what this specific program actually delivers for its graduates.