Political Science and Government at Plymouth State University

Political science programs in New Hampshire typically produce first-year earnings around $40,000, and Plymouth State's program appears positioned right at that mark. The estimated $22,954 in debt sits below both state and national medians for this field, which matters when graduates are starting at modest salaries. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable monthly payments—roughly $230 on a standard ten-year plan—though it will still claim a noticeable chunk of an entry-level budget.

What's harder to assess is where Plymouth State's program actually lands within New Hampshire's competitive landscape. Dartmouth's graduates earn nearly double these figures, while UNH's main campus—a more direct peer—shows slightly lower outcomes. The gap between estimated and actual performance could swing either direction, and with such a small graduate cohort that the data requires suppression, it's difficult to gauge program strength or career support quality.

For families weighing this investment, the debt picture looks reasonable for political science, but the earnings estimate offers limited confidence without knowing whether Plymouth State's specific graduates match state norms or fall short. If your student is committed to this field, understanding job placement rates and alumni networks becomes critical information that transcripts alone won't reveal.