Political Science and Government at Franklin Pierce University

A $27,000 debt load for first-year earnings around $40,000 creates a manageable starting point—at least based on what similar political science programs in New Hampshire typically produce. This 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within reasonable territory, though both the earnings and debt figures here come from peer programs rather than Franklin Pierce's actual graduates. The school's 90% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest it serves a different student population than Dartmouth (where poli-sci graduates earn $72,618), but the estimated outcomes align closely with the state median and slightly outpace the national benchmark of $35,627.

The challenge with political science degrees generally—and likely here—is that many graduates need additional credentials to access higher-paying roles. Those $40,000 first-year earnings may be fine if your child plans to pursue law school, graduate programs, or public service work where the bachelor's degree is just a stepping stone. But if they expect the bachelor's alone to launch a career, that salary barely covers modest living expenses in New Hampshire, let alone aggressive loan repayment.

Given the data limitations, you're essentially betting that Franklin Pierce's outcomes mirror the state average. That's not unreasonable—the school appears to be a typical New Hampshire institution—but without actual graduate data, you won't know if their career services, alumni network, or internship connections deliver on that assumption until after your child enrolls.