Political Science and Government at Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo's political science program shows slightly above-average outcomes for New Jersey, though the small graduating class means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. At $36,050 in first-year earnings, graduates earn more than typical New Jersey political science majors ($35,610) and rank in the 60th percentile statewide—a modest advantage that becomes more meaningful when you consider the relatively low debt load.

The debt picture here is actually quite favorable. At $20,631, Ramapo graduates carry about $5,000 less debt than the typical New Jersey political science major and substantially less than the national median. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 suggests manageable repayment, especially compared to many liberal arts programs where debt can exceed first-year income. For a public institution with a 73% admission rate, this represents solid debt management.

The gap between Ramapo and top-tier programs like Princeton or Rutgers is substantial—graduates there earn roughly $4,000-$27,000 more initially. However, if your child didn't gain admission to those schools or you're weighing Ramapo's in-state tuition against private alternatives, the combination of below-average debt and slightly above-average earnings makes this a reasonable option. Just remember: with fewer than 30 recent graduates in this dataset, one unusually successful or struggling cohort could skew these figures considerably. If your child is genuinely committed to political science and planning for graduate school or public service careers where debt matters enormously, Ramapo's lower borrowing requirements offer real breathing room.