Political Science and Government at Siena College

Siena's political science graduates start significantly behind the curve, earning $29,374 in their first year—roughly $6,000 below both the national and New York state medians. Among New York's 81 political science programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, putting it in the bottom quarter statewide. While the $27,000 debt load is slightly above typical borrowing for this major, the real concern is that first-year earnings barely surpass what students owe, creating a tight financial situation right out of college.

The positive development is substantial earnings growth: graduates see income jump 87% by year four, reaching $54,859. This suggests the program provides skills that gain value with experience, though it requires patience and financial flexibility during those lean early years. For context, New York's top political science programs (Columbia, Cornell, Hamilton) deliver first-year earnings double what Siena graduates make, reflecting both institutional prestige and alumni network advantages.

This program works best for students who have family financial support to weather the lower starting salaries or who plan to pursue public service careers where loan forgiveness programs can offset the debt burden. If your child needs to be financially independent immediately after graduation, or if you're borrowing significant amounts beyond that $27,000 figure, the numbers suggest looking at alternatives—either programs with stronger early earnings or lower-cost schools that reduce the debt load considerably.