Political Science and Government at Randolph-Macon College

Randolph-Macon's political science program outperforms most similar programs nationally, with graduates earning $41,684 in their first year—putting them in the 80th percentile compared to political science majors nationwide. That's $6,000 above the national median and nearly matches what graduates earn from Virginia's top programs. The $27,000 median debt load is manageable, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65. Graduates are carrying just slightly more debt than the state median, but their earnings trajectory suggests they'll handle it comfortably.

The strong earnings growth tells an encouraging story: salaries jump 34% by year four, reaching $55,758. This puts Randolph-Macon graduates on par with peers from much more selective Virginia institutions. Within Virginia, the program ranks at the 60th percentile—solid middle-of-the-pack performance in a competitive state where schools like Liberty and UVA edge ahead by a few thousand dollars annually.

The main caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings data, so individual outcomes could vary more than these numbers suggest. Still, for a political science degree from an accessible liberal arts college (83% admission rate), the combination of above-average starting salaries, reasonable debt, and strong income growth makes this a defensible choice. You're getting outcomes that rival Virginia's flagship programs without the admissions pressure.