Political Science and Government at Stonehill College

Stonehill's political science graduates start at $45,195 and climb to $59,026 within four years—a 31% jump that suggests strong career momentum after graduation. While the program ranks in the 91st percentile nationally, placing it well ahead of the typical political science degree, it sits in the middle of Massachusetts' competitive landscape at the 60th percentile, trailing the elite liberal arts colleges and Boston's major universities.

The $25,000 median debt translates to a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's reasonable by political science standards, especially given how many programs in this field leave students with minimal earning power and significant debt. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes across recent graduating classes.

For families choosing between Stonehill and state schools, the question becomes whether the private college experience justifies the cost difference when you're already looking at solid outcomes. This program delivers above-average results for political science—a field where many graduates struggle financially—but you're paying for access to a network and environment that helps graduates accelerate their earnings after that initial job. If your student is committed to the field and plans to leverage connections for career growth, this represents a sound investment.