Political Science and Government at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion's political science graduates start well below expectations at $31,700—roughly $10,000 less than Virginia's state median and trailing even the national average. Among the 37 Virginia schools offering this degree, Old Dominion ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs produce better immediate outcomes. Even open-access Liberty University delivers 47% higher starting salaries, while UVA and George Mason graduates earn nearly $14,000 more out of the gate.

The program's saving grace is dramatic mid-career acceleration: earnings jump 69% to $53,616 by year four, eventually surpassing both state and national benchmarks. This suggests graduates who stick with policy or government work see meaningful advancement, though that first-year salary gap means tougher financial footing early on when student loan payments kick in. The debt load of $24,531 is manageable relative to that first paycheck (0.77 ratio), but you're still financing a slower start compared to peers at other Virginia schools.

If your child is committed to government or nonprofit work—fields where patience pays off—this trajectory could work. But families expecting competitive early earnings should recognize Old Dominion's political science program lags meaningfully behind state alternatives when it matters most.