Location: College Park, MD•In-State Tuition: $11,505•Out-of-State Tuition: $40,306•Admission Rate: 45%•Avg SAT: 1463
Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,688
83rd percentile
60th percentile in Maryland
Median Debt
$18,768
20% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.44 ManageableSample: 224 graduates

Analysis

UMD's political science program delivers a rare combination: elite-tier institutional reputation paired with above-average earnings and below-average debt. Graduates earn $42,688 in their first year—landing in the 83rd percentile nationally and well above Maryland's state median of $39,616. More impressive is the trajectory: earnings jump 57% to $67,120 by year four, suggesting these graduates are successfully converting their degrees into career advancement. The $18,768 median debt runs significantly below both national and state averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.44.

The value proposition becomes clearer in comparison. While UMD-College Park ranks 60th percentile among Maryland political science programs initially, that positioning reflects the unusual strength of UMGC's online program at the top. Among traditional four-year institutions in the state, UMD sits near the front of the pack with Loyola and Towson, but with notably lower debt loads than either. Nationally, this program outperforms three-quarters of its peers in earnings while maintaining costs well below the typical $23,500 debt burden.

For an anxious parent, this represents a solid foundation: a respected name that opens doors in government, policy, and private sector roles, combined with manageable debt and strong earning potential by mid-career. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates reinforces that these outcomes are consistent, not outliers.

Where University of Maryland-College Park Stands

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

University of Maryland-College ParkOther political science and government programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Maryland-College Park graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Maryland-College Park earns $43k — 83th percentile among political science and government bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Maryland-College Park$42,688$67,120+57%
University of Maryland Global Campus$62,476$67,609+8%
Loyola University Maryland$44,572$62,443+40%
Frostburg State University$41,332$60,798+47%
Washington College$36,741$59,500+62%

Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park$11,505$42,688$67,120$18,7680.44
University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi$7,992$62,476$67,609$17,6000.28
Loyola University MarylandBaltimore$55,480$44,572$62,443$27,0000.61
Towson UniversityTowson$11,306$42,648$53,217$20,8750.49
Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg$9,998$41,332$60,798$25,0000.60
Morgan State UniversityBaltimore$8,118$37,900—$29,7500.78
National Median—$35,627—$23,5000.66

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 Maryland-College Park, approximately 19% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 224 graduates with reported earnings and 237 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.