Political Science and Government at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's political science program costs less than most alternatives but trails Arizona competitors in earning power. Graduates start at $35,220—below both the state median of $37,704 and sitting in just the 40th percentile among Arizona's six programs. The $19,500 median debt is better than the national average, but that's cold comfort when ASU and Grand Canyon graduates earn $7,000+ more annually at the start.

The silver lining here is trajectory: earnings jump 37% to $48,198 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in careers that value the degree. That growth rate is respectable, though you're still playing catch-up to programs where students start stronger. The moderate debt load means the financial burden isn't crushing—you're looking at manageable monthly payments—but the opportunity cost of those lower early earnings adds up over time.

For families choosing between NAU and ASU (which offers both campus and online options at identical outcomes), the earnings gap is too large to ignore unless location or other factors make NAU uniquely appealing. If your student is already committed to NAU for other reasons, political science won't derail their finances, but it's not the program's strength. Consider whether the specific career path they're targeting actually requires this major, or if a different program at NAU might offer better returns.