Political Science and Government at Howard University

Howard's Political Science program starts graduates at just $31,897—well below both the national median ($35,627) and particularly concerning when compared to other DC schools, where this ranks 10th percentile. Every other major DC university, including the public University of the District of Columbia, places graduates significantly higher. In the nation's capital, where political science degrees should command premium opportunities, this gap matters.

The good news is dramatic earnings growth: graduates see a 69% jump to $53,976 by year four, suggesting the Howard network and DC location eventually deliver value. The debt load of $27,000 is reasonable and slightly above the DC median, creating a manageable 0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio even in that difficult first year. For context, 41% of Howard students receive Pell grants, meaning many are leveraging this degree for economic mobility despite the slow start.

The critical question is whether your student can manage those lean early years financially. If they have financial cushion for an entry-level DC salary (where cost of living is high), the mid-career trajectory looks solid. But families counting on immediate post-graduation earnings to service debt should know this program launches graduates significantly behind DC peers, even those from less selective institutions.