Political Science and Government at St. Mary's University

St. Mary's produces political science graduates who outperform 60% of Texas programs despite moderate debt loads—a solid outcome for an accessible Catholic university where 42% of students receive Pell grants. First-year earnings of $36,392 beat both the Texas median ($34,415) and national median ($35,627), while the $19,500 debt burden sits well below typical borrowing for this major. That 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face roughly seven months of first-year salary in total debt—manageable by most standards.

The 19% earnings growth to $43,154 by year four suggests these graduates develop marketable skills, though they still trail the elite private universities in Texas by $7,000-$10,000 annually. For context, only UT Austin and Texas A&M substantially outpace St. Mary's among state flagships. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary more than these medians suggest, but the overall pattern looks reasonable for students seeking government, nonprofit, or advocacy careers where passion often matters more than peak earnings.

If your student is considering St. Mary's for political science, the combination of below-average debt and above-state-median earnings creates breathing room after graduation—particularly valuable for grads pursuing public sector jobs or graduate school. Just understand they're not on the same trajectory as Rice or SMU alumni in terms of earning potential.