Political Science and Government at Norwich University

Norwich University's political science program launches graduates into earnings well above what most programs deliver nationally—87th percentile—but the picture within Vermont is more nuanced. With first-year earnings of $43,988 climbing to $50,854 by year four, grads earn roughly $8,800 more annually than the typical political science graduate nationwide. However, they land at the 60th percentile among Vermont programs, trailing Middlebury's strong showing but outpacing UVM and Saint Michael's. The $25,636 debt load sits just above state norms and represents a manageable 0.58 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could theoretically pay it off in under seven months of gross income.

The 16% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are finding career momentum rather than hitting an early ceiling—a positive sign for a liberal arts degree where career paths often take time to develop. Norwich's military heritage may give its political science graduates an edge in defense-related policy work or government positions that value leadership training.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary widely. For families comfortable with the sample size uncertainty, this represents a solid investment—particularly if your child is interested in military, defense, or government careers where Norwich's reputation carries weight. The debt burden won't dominate their early career, and they'll likely out-earn peers from larger Vermont schools.