Political Science and Government at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNC Charlotte's political science program starts behind the curve but shows impressive momentum—graduates earn $32,780 initially but jump to nearly $48,000 by year four, a 46% increase that outpaces typical liberal arts trajectories. The manageable $24,000 debt load means first-year graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73, which is reasonable for a humanities degree and positions them to pay down loans as their salaries accelerate.

The state context here matters more than national comparisons. While this program ranks only in the 32nd percentile nationally, it hits the 60th percentile among North Carolina's 43 political science programs—essentially matching the state median. Yes, elite private schools like Duke ($55K) and Wake Forest ($47K) pull ahead, but UNC Charlotte costs considerably less to attend. For North Carolina families, this program delivers competitive in-state value, especially given the university's 80% admission rate makes it accessible to a broad range of students.

The growth trajectory is the real story. Reaching nearly $48,000 by year four suggests graduates are moving into careers with actual advancement potential—likely government roles, nonprofits with clear ladders, or corporate positions where a liberal arts degree opens doors. For families concerned about the "what can you do with political science?" question, this data provides a concrete answer: start modest, but build toward a middle-class salary with manageable debt.