Political Science and Government at Hilbert College

A $23,500 debt load for first-year earnings around $35,000 creates a manageable but hardly inspiring financial equation. Based on similar political science programs at private colleges in New York, graduates can expect to earn roughly what they'd make nationally in this field—which means modest paychecks in those critical early career years when loan payments begin.

The comparison with New York's top programs is stark. Columbia and Cornell graduates in political science earn $60,000-plus right out of the gate, nearly double what typical programs produce. While Hilbert's 98% admission rate serves students who might not access those elite schools, the earnings gap matters when you're facing identical monthly loan bills. The estimated debt here actually exceeds the state median slightly, despite the middle-of-the-road earnings projection.

For a field where many graduates pursue graduate school, nonprofit work, or government positions—none known for generous starting salaries—that 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio leaves little margin for error. If your child is passionate about political science and needs the small-campus environment Hilbert provides (44% receive Pell grants, suggesting financial aid accessibility), understand you're likely looking at a decade of careful budgeting post-graduation. The numbers work, but barely—and that's assuming the career path cooperates from day one.