Political Science and Government at Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College's political science program sits squarely in the middle tier among South Carolina options—earning more than the state median but trailing schools like The Citadel by $10,000 annually. The $34,712 starting salary lands below the national average, though the 60th percentile state ranking suggests it's competitive locally. At $27,000 in debt with a 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates face a manageable financial starting point that's actually better than most programs nationally (5th percentile for debt).

The striking feature here is the 71% earnings jump by year four, pushing median pay to nearly $60,000. That's an unusually steep climb for political science graduates, though the small sample size (under 30 students) means these figures could swing dramatically year to year. This trajectory could reflect graduates pivoting into higher-paying careers or accessing professional networks that take time to develop.

For families considering this program, the calculation depends heavily on career path. If your child plans graduate school or aims for government work that values the liberal arts credential, the modest debt load provides flexibility. But if they're expecting political science alone to launch a lucrative career, the initial $34,712 is below what engineering or business students typically start at—even if growth potential appears strong. The small program size also means fewer data points to confirm whether that impressive earnings growth is repeatable.