Political Science and Government at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga's Political Science graduates face a challenging first year—earning $26,915, they're making $8,000 less than the typical Washington poli-sci grad and ranking in just the 10th percentile statewide. To put this in perspective, they're earning about $15,000 less than graduates from nearby Whitworth or UW-Seattle. That's a significant gap for a program charging private university tuition.

The dramatic turnaround by year four ($58,078) helps considerably, but it doesn't fully resolve the value question. While that 116% earnings growth is impressive, graduates are essentially playing catch-up for their entire early career. The $23,124 in debt is manageable but not particularly low for the region, and you have to ask: why take on that debt for earnings that start so far behind state peers? The delayed financial launch matters—those lost early earnings never get recovered, whether you're saving for retirement, paying down loans faster, or building an emergency fund.

For families considering Gonzaga, this data suggests their Political Science program may not justify the premium over public alternatives. If your child is certain about graduate school or a specialized career path where Gonzaga's connections matter, that changes the calculus. Otherwise, the combination of bottom-decile starting salaries and middle-of-the-pack debt makes this a questionable investment compared to what's available elsewhere in Washington.