Political Science and Government at Harvard University

Harvard's political science graduates earn $61,543 in their first year—nearly double the national median for this major and well above the $43,010 typical for Massachusetts programs. The estimated $25,000 in debt (based on similar programs at Harvard) translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in under six months of earnings. By year four, median earnings jump 45% to $89,043, outpacing nearly every other political science program in the state.

The caveat: these debt figures are estimates drawn from other Harvard programs since the political science cohort was too small for the DOE to report separately. That said, Harvard's generous financial aid policies (the university reports that families earning under $85,000 pay nothing, and those earning up to $150,000 pay no more than 10% of income) suggest the actual debt burden may be lower than this state-derived estimate. The earnings figures, by contrast, are actual outcomes for Harvard political science graduates specifically.

The premium here isn't just the Harvard name—it's the trajectory. While political science majors nationally earn $35,627 in their first year, Harvard's graduates are already at $61,543 and climbing steeply. For families who can navigate Harvard's 3% admission rate and financial aid system, this represents one of the strongest returns available for this major.