Political Science and Government at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

UW-Tacoma's political science program punches above its weight in ways that matter for families watching their budgets. With just $14,000 in median debt—among the lowest 5% nationally for this degree—graduates start at $41,246 and climb to nearly $56,000 by year four. That's a 36% earnings jump that outpaces most political science programs, where early-career stagnation is common. You're looking at debt that represents just four months of first-year salary, an unusually comfortable position for a humanities degree.

The Washington context adds another dimension here. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile among the state's 16 political science offerings, it matches UW-Seattle's outcomes at roughly half the debt load ($20,350 is Washington's median). The school's 83% admission rate and 40% Pell population suggest accessible education that doesn't sacrifice results. Graduates here are earning more than 78% of political science majors nationwide, despite the degree's reputation for modest salaries.

For families concerned about liberal arts debt traps, this program offers genuine relief. The combination of minimal borrowing and solid earnings growth creates breathing room that most political science graduates don't get. It won't make anyone rich, but it provides a foundation for graduate school or public sector work without the crushing debt that often derails those paths.