Political Science and Government at University of West Georgia

West Georgia's political science program starts graduates at $31,706—below both state and national medians—but shows genuine momentum with 29% earnings growth by year four. Among Georgia's 31 political science programs, this ranks solidly in the middle (40th percentile), though it trails flagship UGA by nearly $10,000 initially. The $30,000 debt load is actually higher than most programs in this field nationally, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio just under 1:1 that means graduates are starting with debt nearly equal to their first year's salary.

The promising news here is the trajectory: that four-year jump to $40,818 suggests graduates who stick with careers related to their degree find their footing. The concerning part is that year-one salary, which will make those first 12 months of loan payments tight. For families considering this program, the math works better if your child can minimize borrowing—perhaps through in-state tuition savings, work-study, or community college credits first.

This program makes most sense for students who have clear post-graduation plans (law school, public administration, campaign work) where the degree is a stepping stone rather than the endpoint. If your child is drawn to political science but uncertain about career direction, the flagship options or even University of North Georgia offer similar outcomes with stronger starting salaries and the same four-year growth potential.