Political Science and Government at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

At $51,838 four years out, NC State's political science program outperforms both the state median ($32,780) and national median ($35,627) by comfortable margins, placing it in the 60th percentile among North Carolina programs. That 35% earnings jump from year one to year four suggests graduates are successfully landing more substantive positions after gaining initial experience—a meaningful trajectory in a field where many start in lower-paid entry roles like campaign work or nonprofit positions. The $23,457 debt load is slightly below national norms and manageable at 0.61 times first-year earnings.

While Duke and Wake Forest graduates earn more, they likely carry significantly higher debt loads from private tuition. NC State's combination of solid earnings growth and moderate debt makes it a practical choice, particularly for in-state students paying public university rates. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these numbers reliably reflect program outcomes rather than statistical noise.

For parents weighing this investment, NC State delivers a political science degree that performs above average without crushing debt. The strong four-year earnings suggest graduates develop marketable skills that translate into career advancement. If your child is paying in-state tuition, this represents reasonable value for a liberal arts degree—just understand that first-year earnings will be modest while they establish themselves professionally.