Political Science and Government at University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder's political science program stands out for what happens after that modest first-year salary. While graduates start at just under $40,000—barely above the national median—they see earnings jump 51% by year four to reach over $60,000. Among Colorado's 16 political science programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, though notably behind UC Denver and Metro State in initial placement.

The debt picture is actually a strength here. At $19,500, graduates carry about 17% less debt than both the state and national medians for this major, while earning more than 75% of political science programs nationwide. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—manageable even during those early-career years when money is tightest.

The trajectory matters most with this degree. If your child can weather that first year or two at lower pay (think campaign work, nonprofit roles, or government entry positions), the earnings growth suggests they're building marketable skills that translate to better opportunities. For a highly accessible program at an 83% admission rate, those mid-career outcomes are solid. Just make sure they understand this isn't a degree that delivers immediate financial returns—the payoff comes from leveraging that CU Boulder credential over time.