Political Science and Government at Winston-Salem State University

The first-year numbers here are genuinely concerning—$26,725 puts Winston-Salem State's political science graduates in the 5th percentile nationally and well below North Carolina's state median of $32,780. Even among North Carolina's 43 programs, this ranks only at the 25th percentile. With $26,000 in typical debt, graduates are essentially borrowing as much as they'll earn in that first year. For a family already stretched thin (61% of students receive Pell grants), that's a difficult financial start.

However, there's an important caveat: this analysis is based on fewer than 30 graduates, which makes the data less reliable. The dramatic 71% earnings jump to $45,706 by year four suggests meaningful career progression is possible, though we can't be certain this pattern holds consistently. The modest debt level relative to national averages (25th percentile) means graduates aren't being buried under excessive loans while they find their footing.

If your child is considering this program, the financial risk is clear but not catastrophic. The key question is whether they have family support or savings to bridge those difficult early years, because the first-year salary alone won't comfortably cover both debt payments and living expenses. For students who need immediate earning power after graduation, the stronger-performing North Carolina programs like NC A&T or UNC-Chapel Hill might justify the application effort.