Public Policy Analysis at St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College graduates from this public policy program start below both national and Maryland medians, and the small graduate pool—fewer than 30 students—makes these numbers less reliable than usual. While initial earnings of $43,629 trail both the national figure ($44,740) and Maryland's median ($44,636), the trajectory shows promise: graduates see 35% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $59,000. That's a stronger climb than many policy programs deliver.

The $22,000 median debt is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.50—meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary. This matches the national median debt for the program, so St. Mary's students aren't taking on unusual financial risk. For comparison, nearby University of Maryland-College Park's policy graduates start about $2,000 higher annually, though that gap narrows considerably as careers progress.

The crucial caveat here is sample size. With so few graduates tracked, one or two career paths can swing these numbers significantly. A small cohort might not represent typical outcomes, especially at a school where policy isn't a flagship program. If your child is genuinely passionate about public policy work, St. Mary's offers a reasonable debt load and decent mid-career growth. Just recognize you're betting on a less-established track record than you'd find at larger programs.