Political Science and Government at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities political science program shows something rare for this major: substantial earnings growth that transforms a decent starting point into genuinely competitive mid-career outcomes. Graduates earn $40,208 initially—already ahead of three-quarters of political science programs nationwide—but then see a 38% jump to $55,667 by year four. That trajectory suggests graduates are landing positions with real advancement potential, not the plateau many liberal arts degrees face.

The financial picture reinforces this value proposition. At $20,465 in debt, graduates owe about $3,000 less than both the national and Minnesota medians for this degree, while earning more than their state peers. Among Minnesota's 23 political science programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile—trailing only Macalester and a handful of smaller colleges—but at a significantly lower cost of attendance for in-state students. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 means manageable payments even in that first year when earnings are lowest.

For a political science degree from a Big Ten university with 77% acceptance, this represents strong value. The combination of below-average debt, above-average starting salary, and meaningful earnings growth by year four suggests the program is preparing graduates for career paths beyond typical entry-level advocacy or campaign work. That said, parents should ensure their child has a clear plan for leveraging the degree—the strong outcomes likely reflect intentional career planning rather than automatic job placement.