Political Science and Government at The University of Alabama

Alabama's political science program starts graduates at $32,700—below the national median by about $3,000—but here's what matters more: earnings jump 53% to reach $50,000 by year four. That growth trajectory outpaces typical liberal arts outcomes and suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into career-track positions, whether in public service, law, business, or policy work. Among Alabama's 21 political science programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, placing it squarely in the middle of in-state options despite being well below schools like Troy University's $46,000 first-year mark.

The $23,785 debt load is manageable—essentially right at national norms for political science majors. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 in year one, graduates can reasonably handle loan payments while that ratio improves significantly as earnings climb. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers reflect real outcomes, not statistical noise.

For Alabama families, this represents a solid choice rather than exceptional value. Your student gets a recognizable name and decent earning potential at a flagship university, though they won't dramatically outpace peers at Auburn or UAB in early earnings. The strong growth curve matters more than the modest start—just ensure your student has a clear plan for leveraging that political science degree into a specific career path where those year-four earnings actually materialize.