Political Science and Government at Longwood University

Virginia's political science programs typically start grads near $41,500 in their first year, and Longwood appears positioned right at that state median—though the lack of reported data for this specific program means we're working from peer school outcomes rather than verified results for Longwood graduates. The estimated debt load of $23,235 produces a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio, suggesting borrowers could theoretically pay off loans in reasonable time if those first-year estimates hold true.

The troubling piece is what happens next. While comparable Virginia programs suggest solid early earnings, Longwood reports actual fourth-year earnings of just $33,379—a significant drop that raises questions about career trajectory for political science graduates here. That's nearly $8,000 below the estimated starting salary and well behind the state's top performers like Liberty ($46,508) and UVA ($45,875), which maintain stronger earning patterns.

For parents weighing this investment, the uncertainty cuts both ways. The debt burden appears reasonable if early earnings estimates prove accurate, but that fourth-year dip suggests graduates may struggle to build momentum in their careers. Before committing, you'd want to understand what's driving that earnings decline—whether it reflects career paths that start strong then plateau, or whether grads are pursuing lower-paying graduate programs or public service work that the data doesn't fully capture.