Political Science and Government at Marymount University

A $41,186 first-year salary puts Marymount's political science graduates well above the national median for this degree, landing them in the 78th percentile nationwide—a solid outcome. The estimated $27,000 in debt, drawn from similar Virginia programs at private institutions, produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66, which is manageable by most standards. However, within Virginia's competitive landscape, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, trailing the state's public flagship and several other well-regarded options by $4,000-$5,000 in first-year earnings.

The 40th percentile ranking among Virginia programs reveals the challenge: top political science programs in the state—Liberty, UVA, George Mason—consistently produce graduates earning $43,000-$47,000 in their first year. That $4,000-$6,000 gap matters when you're comparing similar debt loads. Marymount's location in Arlington offers obvious advantages for political science graduates seeking government or advocacy work, but the earnings data suggests those geographic benefits don't fully compensate for what larger or more selective programs deliver.

For an anxious parent, the key question is whether Marymount's smaller environment and D.C.-area connections justify choosing it over higher-earning alternatives in Virginia. The debt burden is reasonable and the national comparison is favorable, but the in-state competition is stiff. If your student thrives in smaller settings and will actively leverage the Arlington location, this could work—just recognize you're paying similar costs for middle-tier Virginia outcomes, not top-tier ones.