Political Science and Government at Fort Lewis College

A political science bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College appears positioned right around Colorado's typical outcomes for this field, though the small graduate cohort means we're working with estimates based on peer programs statewide. Similar programs in Colorado suggest first-year earnings near $37,800 with debt around $20,250—figures that align closely with both state and national benchmarks for political science degrees.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 represents a manageable financial starting point, particularly when you consider that many liberal arts degrees involve either higher debt loads or lower initial earnings. The estimated debt is actually below what most Colorado political science programs produce, while the earnings track with the state median. For context, Fort Lewis serves a significant population of Pell grant recipients and maintains broad accessibility, which may explain why outcomes cluster near the middle rather than reaching the $40,000+ range that flagship programs report.

The practical challenge remains what it is for most political science graduates: that $37,800 salary translates to roughly $3,150 monthly before taxes, making those loan payments tight but feasible with careful budgeting. The degree's value will heavily depend on whether your student leverages it toward graduate school, law school, or specific career paths where political science credentials open doors—government work, nonprofit management, or campaign roles where connections and internships during college matter as much as the diploma itself.