Political Science and Government at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville's political science graduates start at $33,605—below both Pennsylvania's median ($37,534) and the national average for the major—but they experience remarkable earnings growth. By year four, salaries jump 55% to nearly $52,000, which represents one of the stronger growth trajectories you'll find in this field. The program sits near the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania's 72 political science programs initially, but that four-year performance suggests graduates are finding their footing in careers that reward experience.

The $27,000 in typical debt is actually quite manageable here, landing in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt). That 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary, which creates breathing room during those early career years when paychecks are modest. This matters especially for a field where many graduates pursue public service, nonprofit work, or graduate school—paths that don't always come with high initial salaries.

For parents worried about return on investment, the story here is about patience rather than immediate payoff. Your child won't match Penn or Lehigh graduates out of the gate, but the combination of controlled debt and strong earnings momentum makes this a financially sound choice—particularly if they're willing to stay flexible and build experience in those crucial early years.