Political Science and Government at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

UCCS political science graduates experience significant earnings growth that distinguishes this program from typical liberal arts trajectories. Starting at $37,295, earnings jump 37% to reach $51,184 by year four—substantially outpacing the stagnant income patterns common in political science programs nationwide. While first-year earnings sit slightly below Colorado's median for this major, the trajectory tells a more optimistic story about career development after graduation.

The debt picture here is notably favorable. At $17,625, graduates carry about 25% less debt than the state average and significantly less than the national benchmark of $23,500. This creates breathing room early in graduates' careers, with debt representing less than half of first-year income—a manageable ratio that shouldn't derail financial stability during those leaner early years.

However, context matters: UCCS ranks in the middle of Colorado's political science programs, trailing flagship Boulder and Metro State by $3,000-4,000 in starting earnings. This isn't a program that commands premium outcomes relative to in-state alternatives. For families prioritizing political science specifically, comparing costs between UCCS and these peer schools becomes essential, since the earnings advantage belongs elsewhere. The value proposition here rests on reasonable debt paired with solid mid-career growth, not on competitive starting salaries within Colorado's market.