Political Science and Government at University of Memphis

A first-year salary of $27,600 is a rough start—placing this program in the bottom 10% nationally—but the 67% earnings jump to nearly $46,000 by year four tells a more optimistic story. That four-year figure actually surpasses both Tennessee's median for political science ($34,635) and the national benchmark ($35,627), suggesting graduates find their footing after an initial slow period.

The challenge is surviving that first year. With $24,450 in debt and earnings barely above the poverty line, recent graduates will likely need family support or side income to stay afloat. The 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic compared to some programs, but it translates to tight monthly budgets when you're earning $2,300 before taxes. Among Tennessee's 28 political science programs, this ranks near the 25th percentile initially—behind options like UT-Chattanooga ($39,490 starting) and ETSU ($37,594).

If your student is considering this path, they should have a clear plan for that difficult first year and understand they're banking on career progression rather than immediate post-graduation success. The four-year data suggests Memphis grads do eventually close the gap with peers elsewhere, but the early struggle is real and requires either financial cushion or exceptional determination.