Political Science and Government at The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa's political science program delivers solid starting salaries—$40,505 puts graduates well above both the national median ($35,627) and Florida median ($34,621). At 60th percentile statewide, this program outperforms most Florida competitors, including larger state universities like USF and UCF. The $24,000 debt load is manageable with a 0.59 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning graduates could realistically pay off loans within five years of focused repayment.

The concern here is stagnation: earnings barely budge from year one to year four, growing just 1% to $41,047. Most college graduates see meaningful salary progression as they gain experience, but this program's trajectory is essentially flat. That pattern suggests graduates may be landing in entry-level positions without clear advancement paths—common in political science fields like nonprofit work or government roles that lack private-sector salary escalators.

For families willing to invest in a liberal arts degree, Tampa delivers better outcomes than most Florida alternatives and manageable debt. However, parents should understand they're paying for name recognition and networking at a selective private school ($40K+ sticker price) when the career earnings won't dramatically exceed what state universities produce. If your student is passionate about political science and plans for graduate school or law school—where Tampa's outcomes would serve as a launching pad—this works. If they're expecting the bachelor's degree alone to lead to six-figure career growth, the flat earnings curve tells a different story.