Political Science and Government at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus

In New Jersey's competitive political science landscape, comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $35,600—a figure that aligns closely with national benchmarks but falls well short of what state flagships and top-tier programs deliver. The gap is substantial: Princeton graduates earn nearly double that amount, while even Rutgers campuses produce starting salaries roughly $4,000 higher. By year four, this program shows earnings climbing to $52,200, indicating meaningful salary growth that narrows some of that initial disadvantage.

The estimated $27,000 in debt sits slightly above both state and national medians for political science degrees, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 remains manageable by conventional standards. For context, similar programs in New Jersey typically saddle graduates with around $25,300 in loans. The math works—graduates should be able to handle these payments—but there's little cushion here, especially given that political science careers often require graduate credentials or unpaid internships before launching.

The practical consideration: your child would be paying more debt than typical for a program whose early earnings appear middle-of-the-pack statewide. If law school, graduate studies, or public service roles are the goal, starting with less debt from a lower-cost option might preserve more flexibility. If staying in New Jersey, the Rutgers system offers both stronger early earnings and lower typical debt loads.