Political Science and Government at Quinnipiac University

The small sample size here matters, but the available data tells an unusual story: Quinnipiac's political science graduates start far behind their peers—ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th in Connecticut—but experience dramatic income growth. That first-year median of $26,440 is roughly $11,000 below Connecticut's median for the program, yet by year four, earnings jump to $60,974. This suggests graduates may be securing internships or entry positions that eventually lead to better opportunities, though the four-year timeline is longer than most parents would hope for when carrying $27,000 in debt.

Within Connecticut, this program lags notably behind the state's stronger options. Yale ($57,466), Connecticut College ($46,588), and even Southern Connecticut State ($41,383) all deliver substantially higher starting earnings. The debt load here is also above both state and national norms, creating a challenging first few years where graduates owe more than they earn annually. Given Quinnipiac's 77% admission rate, families might reasonably expect more competitive outcomes relative to Connecticut's public universities.

The core question is whether your student can manage that difficult initial period financially and whether they're specifically pursuing careers where Quinnipiac's network delivers value after those first years. If strong first-year earnings matter—for loan repayment or simply peace of mind—this program's trajectory presents real challenges compared to other Connecticut options.