Political Science and Government at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

UTC's political science program delivers above-average outcomes for students who understand its practical limitations. At $39,490 starting out, graduates earn more than their peers at 71% of similar programs nationwide and outperform Tennessee's median by nearly $5,000. The 18% earnings growth over four years—reaching $46,643—suggests graduates find their footing in the job market, though they're unlikely to catch Vanderbilt alumni who start at $46,843. With debt under $22,200, the program keeps financial risk manageable: graduates owe just over half their first-year salary, better than many political science programs that saddle students with debt equal to 70-80% of starting earnings.

The key tradeoff here is realistic career expectations. Political science rarely leads to six-figure salaries, and even UTC's better-than-average outcomes mean most graduates will need either graduate school or strategic career pivoting to significantly boost earnings. The moderate sample size suggests steady placement, but these aren't the earnings that quickly pay off loans if students borrow beyond the median amount shown here.

For parents, the value proposition is straightforward: if your student is genuinely interested in political science and comfortable with public sector or nonprofit salary ranges, UTC offers a fiscally responsible path. The manageable debt and solid placement relative to Tennessee alternatives make this a reasonable investment—just ensure your student has a plan for leveraging the degree that doesn't require immediate high earnings.