Political Science and Government at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State's Political Science program presents a puzzle that resolves itself with patience. While graduates start well below the national median—earning just $26,635 in their first year, placing them in the 5th percentile nationally—they experience explosive earnings growth, jumping to $62,098 by year four. That 133% increase suggests graduates are finding their footing in careers that don't immediately reward a poli sci degree but pay off once they establish themselves.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,475, essentially matching both the national median and what other North Dakota schools charge for this program. With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0, this degree is technically affordable from day one, though that first-year salary will feel tight. The real question is what happens during those early years—whether your child has the financial runway to weather a potentially lean period before reaching that stronger four-year salary.

Within North Dakota, this program ranks at the 60th percentile, which means it's performing slightly better than average for the state. Given NDSU's 96% admission rate, this accessibility combined with eventual solid earnings could work for a student committed to the field and prepared for a gradual career launch. Just ensure they understand they're likely looking at entry-level work or graduate school before those earnings jump, and have a plan for managing those first couple of years financially.