Political Science and Government at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Political science graduates from similar Massachusetts public colleges typically earn around $43,000 in their first year, placing programs like this squarely at the state median but well above the $35,600 national benchmark. With an estimated $24,800 in debt—close to what comparable programs produce—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests manageable repayment, though the field is known for requiring graduate school for many career paths. The 40% Pell grant population indicates this serves students who need affordable access to four-year degrees.

The challenge with political science becomes clearer when you see the state's top programs: elite private schools push first-year earnings into the $50,000-$67,000 range, likely benefiting from powerful alumni networks and recruitment pipelines into government, law, and consulting. Programs at this level face stiffer competition for the same entry-level positions. The broad curriculum—useful for critical thinking and writing—doesn't lead to a specific profession the way nursing or engineering does, meaning early career outcomes depend heavily on internships, connections, and what students do beyond coursework.

For a family weighing this investment, the estimated figures suggest a workable financial picture if your student has clear post-graduation plans—whether that's law school, public service, or pivoting into adjacent fields like HR or communications. The debt load won't be crushing, but the relatively modest starting salary means banking on this degree alone to launch a career requires realistic expectations about entry-level work.