Political Science and Government at University of Baltimore

In Maryland, political science programs show considerable variance, from $40,000 to over $60,000 in first-year earnings. University of Baltimore's estimated outcomes—based on the state median across 10 similar programs—place it in the middle of the pack at roughly $39,600, with an estimated debt load of around $22,500. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, which sits in reasonable territory and slightly below the typical debt burden for this degree nationally.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates derived from peer programs. While these figures suggest a manageable financial picture—about six months of earnings to repay debt—they don't tell us what University of Baltimore's actual graduates experience. The school serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (43%), and outcomes for working-class students in urban settings can differ meaningfully from state medians. Political science degrees also depend heavily on what students do with them: public sector jobs, law school preparation, or nonprofit work all lead to different earning trajectories.

The estimated numbers suggest neither red flags nor exceptional returns. If your child is pursuing this degree with a clear post-graduation plan—especially graduate school or a specific career path—the debt level appears manageable. But given the lack of program-specific data, have direct conversations with the career services office about actual placement rates and what recent graduates are doing. That concrete information matters more than statewide estimates when you're writing the tuition check.