Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,501
Est. from VA median (16 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from VA median (5 programs)

Analysis

Similar political science programs in Virginia suggest first-year earnings around $41,500—right at the state median but above the national benchmark of $35,627. With estimated debt of $27,000, University of Lynchburg graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65, meaning roughly eight months of gross income to cover what they owe. That's manageable compared to many bachelor's programs, though it trails the performance of Virginia's top political science programs, where graduates at schools like Liberty, UVA, and George Mason are earning $45,000 or more right out of the gate.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates—both the earnings and debt figures come from peer programs across Virginia, not from University of Lynchburg's actual outcomes. The small graduate sample that led to data suppression could mean this is a niche program with limited enrollment, which might offer more personalized attention or could signal limited career networking opportunities. Without actual outcomes data, there's no way to know whether this program outperforms or underperforms its peers.

For a family considering this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable but not exceptional outcomes. If your child is passionate about political science and Lynchburg offers specific opportunities—internships, faculty connections, or graduate school placement—that justify the choice, the debt load won't be crushing. But given the uncertainty, compare closely with Virginia's larger programs that have proven track records, particularly if cost is similar.

Where University of Lynchburg Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (37 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of LynchburgLynchburg$35,540$41,501*—$27,000*—
Liberty UniversityLynchburg$21,222$46,508*$48,474$27,000*0.58
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville$20,986$45,875*$67,976$18,015*0.39
George Mason UniversityFairfax$13,815$45,846*$60,165$22,000*0.48
Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News$16,351$43,508*$58,043$23,250*0.53
University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond$62,600$43,253*$58,382$23,080*0.53
National Median—$35,627*—$23,500*0.66
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Lynchburg, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 16 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.