Political Science and Government at Union College

Union College's political science program punches well above its weight, delivering first-year earnings of $49,759—nearly 40% higher than the New York state median and placing it in the 80th percentile among Empire State schools. That puts graduates ahead of most SUNY campuses and within striking distance of elite peers like Colgate and Hamilton, despite Union's more accessible 44% admission rate.

The financial picture is particularly compelling: $26,899 in median debt represents just 54% of first-year earnings, one of the lowest debt burdens you'll find for this major nationally. With earnings jumping 31% to $65,270 by year four, graduates are building genuine career momentum rather than treading water—a crucial advantage for a liberal arts degree often criticized for weak early returns.

The real story here is value arbitrage. You're getting outcomes that rival schools with single-digit admission rates, without the corresponding debt burden. Union's relatively small political science cohort (30-100 graduates) likely benefits from the college's strong alumni network in New York's capital region and beyond. For families concerned about whether a political science degree can lead to financial stability, this program offers unusually concrete evidence that it can.