Political Science and Government at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

UNM's political science program shows a trajectory that defies the typical early-career struggles in this field. While graduates start slightly below both the state and national medians at $33,947, they jump to $47,000 by year four—a 39% increase that lifts them well above average. That strong earnings growth is unusual for political science degrees, which often see more modest career progression.

The debt picture provides additional reassurance: at $18,499, graduates carry about $2,000 less than the typical New Mexico political science major and nearly $5,000 less than the national median. That manageable debt load means the initial modest salary doesn't create financial stress. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 is quite comfortable, and it only improves as salaries climb through years two and four.

This represents a solid middle-of-the-road option among New Mexico's limited political science offerings. Graduates aren't leading the pack immediately after graduation, but the career momentum suggests the program prepares students for roles with real advancement potential—possibly in state government or nonprofit sectors where Albuquerque's status as the state capital creates opportunities. For families concerned about both upfront costs and long-term career viability, this combination of low debt and strong earnings growth makes the program a reasonable investment.