Political Science and Government at Wayne State University

Wayne State's political science program starts rough but recovers impressively. That $30,345 first-year salary sits in just the 20th percentile nationally, and Michigan's relatively strong political science market (where peers at U-M and MSU earn nearly $40,000 right away) makes the gap harder to ignore. But four-year earnings jump 61% to nearly $49,000—well above what most political science grads achieve even at the state's top programs.

The debt load of $23,812 is reasonable and typical for political science programs, translating to a manageable 78% of first-year earnings. The real question is whether your child can weather that difficult first year or two when peers at flagship universities will be earning significantly more. Wayne State serves many first-generation and working-class students (43% receive Pell grants), so this trajectory may reflect career development patterns unique to Detroit's economy rather than program quality issues.

If your child needs immediate earning power or has substantial additional living expenses, the slow start is a real concern. But for families who can provide support during that initial period, this program offers something valuable: mobility into the mid-$40,000s without excessive debt. Just understand you're trading a harder launch for eventual convergence with better-positioned programs.