Political Science and Government at Northeastern University

Northeastern's Political Science program produces earnings that tower over most programs nationally—ranking in the 95th percentile—but sits squarely in the middle of Massachusetts' competitive landscape at the 60th percentile. That's the key tension here: this is an exceptional choice compared to most schools, yet in Boston alone, programs at Tufts and Harvard deliver first-year earnings roughly $10,000-15,000 higher.

The fundamentals look solid. Graduates start at $52,516 and reach $65,006 by year four, representing 24% growth and suggesting genuine career progression. The debt load of $22,579 is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio that's actually slightly better than the state median for political science programs. For context, the typical political science graduate nationally earns just $35,627—nearly $17,000 less—so Northeastern is clearly doing something right, likely through its renowned co-op program that gives students substantial work experience.

The question is whether Northeastern's 6% admission rate and prestige justify choosing it over other strong Massachusetts options. If your child has admission offers from multiple selective schools in the state, compare closely. But if this is the only elite program on the table, you're looking at reliable outcomes that will make the investment manageable and position your graduate well above national peers in this field.