Political Science and Government at Troy University

Troy University's political science program produces surprisingly strong outcomes that challenge conventional wisdom about liberal arts majors. Graduates earn $46,279 in their first year—ranking in the 94th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Alabama programs. That's roughly $13,500 more than the national median and $10,000 above what graduates from Alabama's flagship earn in this field. With debt of just $27,874 (below both state and national medians), the financial picture looks considerably better than what most political science programs deliver.

The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift with more data, but the pattern is notable enough to warrant attention. Earnings growth of 12% by year four suggests graduates are building stable career foundations, not just landing lucky first jobs. For an open-admission institution serving a substantial population of Pell Grant students, these outcomes indicate effective career preparation or strong regional employer relationships.

Here's the practical calculation: your child would carry manageable debt (about 60% of first-year income) while earning substantially more than peers from larger, more selective Alabama universities. If they're considering political science and want to stay in-state, Troy's track record suggests they'll be financially better positioned than graduates from programs with bigger names.