Political Science and Government at Hamilton College

Hamilton College's political science graduates earn nearly double the national median for this major—$58,807 versus $35,627—placing them in the 95th percentile both nationally and within New York. That's exceptional performance for a liberal arts degree often criticized for weak earnings potential. These graduates match or exceed outcomes from Columbia and Cornell's political science programs, despite Hamilton's much smaller undergraduate environment. The debt picture reinforces the value: at $12,500, graduates carry half the typical burden for this field.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy, with 19% growth to nearly $70,000 by year four. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross income—extraordinarily manageable. This likely reflects Hamilton's combination of rigorous academics (12% admission rate, 1487 average SAT), strong alumni networks, and the preparatory culture of elite liberal arts colleges that emphasizes post-graduate planning.

The major caveat: sample size is under 30, so these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. But the pattern holds across the limited data available. For families who can afford Hamilton's tuition (only 18% receive Pell grants, suggesting limited financial aid), this program transforms what's typically a financially challenging major into a genuinely strong investment.