Political Science and Government at University of North Georgia

University of North Georgia's political science graduates earn $37,227 in their first year—above both the national median ($35,627) and significantly ahead of Georgia's median ($32,340) for this degree. Among Georgia's 31 political science programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, outperforming programs at most state universities while keeping debt notably lower than the state average ($22,026 versus $25,625). That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means graduates owe less than seven months of their starting salary, which is manageable territory for a liberal arts degree.

The earnings trajectory shows solid progression, with graduates reaching $45,932 by year four—a 23% increase that suggests the degree opens doors to career advancement. You're looking at roughly $13,500 less in debt compared to Emory's program while accepting about $9,000 less in starting earnings, though that gap narrows over time. Given UNG's 72% admission rate and accessible price point, this represents a practical path for students interested in government, law, or nonprofit work.

The moderate sample size means these numbers should hold reasonably steady, but verify current debt loads if your child would need significant borrowing beyond the median shown here. For a political science degree—a field where graduate school is often part of the plan—keeping undergraduate debt under $25,000 while earning at or above national averages makes financial sense.