Political Science and Government at Fairmont State University

Fairmont State's political science program ranks in the top 60% for earnings among West Virginia schools while carrying less debt than most—a solid combination for students planning to stay in-state. The $34,992 first-year salary sits just below the national median but noticeably above West Virginia's typical outcome of $32,639, suggesting this program prepares students better than most local alternatives outside of American Public University System's online program.

The debt burden tells an even better story. At $25,878, graduates owe roughly $2,600 more than the state median, but that's still in the 26th percentile nationally—meaning three-quarters of political science programs nationwide leave students with more debt. The 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates need about nine months of their first year's salary to cover their debt, which is manageable compared to many humanities programs.

The caveat here is that political science often requires graduate school for professional advancement, and West Virginia's job market for political science graduates is limited. For students committed to working in state government, nonprofits, or using this as a springboard to law school, Fairmont State delivers reasonable preparation at a reasonable cost. But if your child is comparing this to technical programs with stronger immediate job prospects, the earning potential may look modest—though the controlled debt load does mitigate that concern.