Political Science and Government at University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus delivers something rare in political science: graduates earning $62,476 in their first year—70% more than the state median and nearly double the national average. This places the program in the 95th percentile both nationally and among Maryland schools, outperforming even flagship institutions like UMD-College Park. For an online university primarily serving working adults, these numbers suggest the program attracts students already established in government or policy careers who use the degree to advance within their organizations.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $17,600, graduates borrow roughly $7,000 less than typical Maryland political science students, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.28. That means total debt equals less than four months of first-year salary—an unusually comfortable position for liberal arts graduates. Earnings continue climbing to $67,609 by year four, showing steady career progression rather than a plateau.

For parents of traditional college-age students, understand that UMGC's student population skews toward working adults, which partly explains the strong earnings. Your child might see different results depending on their career trajectory. Still, the combination of top-tier earnings, below-average debt, and steady growth makes this program a financially sound choice—particularly for students already working in government or defense sectors where this degree can unlock promotions.