Political Science and Government at St. John Fisher University

A bachelor's in political science from St. John Fisher carries an estimated $23,500 in debt—right at the national median for this field—but the first-year earnings picture based on comparable New York programs is sobering. At roughly $35,000, these initial earnings make debt manageable but hardly generous, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that sits in workable territory. The four-year earnings jump to $54,677 suggests meaningful career progression, though this still lags well behind New York's elite liberal arts colleges where political science grads often start above $55,000.

What matters most here is trajectory and career intent. Political science typically serves as a launching pad for law school, graduate programs, or public sector careers where initial salaries don't tell the full story. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation in Rochester's regional economy, peer programs suggest they'll face several lean years before reaching middle-class stability. The admission profile—68% acceptance rate with modest test scores—indicates St. John Fisher serves students who may not have access to the elite networking that often compensates for political science's modest starting salaries.

The bottom line: This represents a defensible investment only if your child has a clear plan beyond the bachelor's degree. Political science without further credentials or strategic internships often leads to administrative or nonprofit roles where that $35,000 starting point becomes the norm, not a temporary stepping stone.