Political Science and Government at William & Mary

William & Mary graduates with political science degrees face an unusual situation: they outperform most programs nationally but trail several Virginia competitors. Starting at $41,317, these graduates earn 16% above the national median but fall just below the state median of $41,500, landing in the 40th percentile among Virginia programs. Liberty, UVA, and George Mason all deliver meaningfully higher starting salaries, despite W&M's more selective admissions (33% acceptance rate, 1458 average SAT).

The silver lining is strong earnings growth—graduates see a 46% jump to $60,113 by year four—and relatively modest debt of $19,500, about $4,000 below both state and national medians. That gives W&M grads breathing room compared to peers elsewhere who face larger debt burdens. The 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, particularly as salaries climb past $60,000.

For families choosing between Virginia schools, this data suggests paying W&M's price premium requires confidence in longer-term outcomes rather than immediate post-graduation earnings. The program works best for students planning graduate school or careers where W&M's brand opens doors that justify a slower financial start—but families seeking the strongest early return on a political science degree should examine why in-state alternatives are placing graduates in higher-paying entry positions.