Political Science and Government at SUNY Brockport

SUNY Brockport's political science program stands out for an unusual reason: graduates who start near the bottom of the earnings distribution experience dramatic salary growth by year four. That first-year figure of $24,000 ranks in the bottom 10% of New York political science programs, but by year four, earnings more than double to $51,000—exceeding both the national and state medians.

This trajectory suggests many graduates are taking low-paying internships, campaign positions, or public service roles immediately after graduation before transitioning to better-compensated work. The $25,370 debt load is manageable relative to that fourth-year salary, creating a reasonable payoff horizon. However, the difficult first year matters: financially, new graduates will likely need family support or side income to stay afloat during that initial period. The debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio above 1.0 confirms this isn't immediately self-sustaining employment.

For families comfortable supporting a longer runway to career stability, the program delivers solid outcomes at a public school price point. But if your child needs to be financially independent right after graduation, understand they'll face real constraints during that first year. The growth trajectory is encouraging, but it requires patience and likely some financial cushion to realize.