Political Science and Government at Georgetown University

Georgetown's political science program demonstrates why location matters—graduates earn $55,247 in their first year, crushing the national median of $35,627 by 55%, yet they still rank only in the 60th percentile among DC schools. This reveals both the program's strength and the competitive reality of the nation's capital, where even American University and George Washington place graduates into similar entry-level positions. The real differentiation appears over time: Georgetown grads see 34% earnings growth to reach $74,225 by year four, suggesting stronger networks and career trajectory than the initial numbers might indicate.

The debt picture is exceptionally favorable. At $16,500, graduates carry less than half the national median for political science majors and about a third of what their DC peers typically owe. The 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio means the entire debt load equals roughly seven months of first-year salary—manageable even for those entering traditionally lower-paying public service or policy roles that draw many Georgetown political science graduates.

For families willing to invest in Georgetown's $80,000+ annual price tag, this program delivers if you can secure substantial financial aid to keep that debt low. The elite credentials open doors in Washington's policy ecosystem that raw first-year earnings don't fully capture. But if you're comparing net costs rather than just debt loads, recognize that the DC market is crowded with capable political science programs—your child's Georgetown advantage will compound over their career rather than provide an immediate salary premium.