Political Science and Government at St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College political science graduates face a four-year journey from modest to solid earnings, though the starting point remains uncertain. Based on comparable Maryland programs, first-year earnings cluster around $39,600, but by year four this specific program reports actual outcomes of $55,486—a meaningful jump that suggests graduates find their footing after initially slower starts. That's well above both the national median ($35,627) and what most Maryland political science programs deliver, though still trailing the state's top performers by $7,000-$13,000.

The $25,000 in typical debt isn't alarming given where graduates end up, translating to an estimated 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio if the state-based first-year estimate holds. This sits comfortably below the danger zone and beats the national median debt for political science majors. The real question is whether that initial earnings estimate accurately reflects St. Mary's outcomes—the college's 1232 average SAT and selective liberal arts focus might produce different results than the broader Maryland average suggests.

For parents weighing this investment, the year-four earnings provide the clearest signal: actual St. Mary's graduates are outearning most political science peers nationally and doing reasonably well in Maryland's competitive market. If your student thrives in small-college environments and can manage moderate debt, the trajectory looks promising, though you're betting on growth rather than strong immediate returns.