Political Science and Government bachelor's degree outcomes at SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo, NY · Public · Federal field 4510

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$5,252 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 46.3% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −42% · Negative payoff
Evidence coverage: 5/6 core measures

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+41%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$35,158 → $49,581

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

27Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

35Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

26Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$11,346

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$26,875

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$58,041

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$285/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$11,346Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$24,279Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE73.0%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE33.3%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$35,158Year 1

$58,041Year 4

$49,581Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

5.9% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,837

Estimated loan payment$285

26borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$58,041 vs. $63,293

$5,252 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Managers, All Other$167,200 median wageNY estimate · 18,470 jobs · 11-9199+4.9% projected U.S. growth · 100.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePolitical Scientists$142,080 median wageU.S. estimate · 130 jobs · 19-3094-2.0% projected U.S. growth · 0.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreePolitical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$104,050 median wageNY estimate · 1,460 jobs · 25-1065+2.5% projected U.S. growth · 1.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$97,070 median wageNY estimate · 70,660 jobs · 25-2031-0.2% projected U.S. growth · 63.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSocial Science Research Assistants$61,210 median wageNY estimate · 3,040 jobs · 19-4061+5.0% projected U.S. growth · 4.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEconomists$136,660 median wageNY estimate · 910 jobs · 19-3011+4.7% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeEconomics Teachers, Postsecondary$127,500 median wageNY estimate · 1,240 jobs · 25-1063+2.4% projected U.S. growth · 1k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degree

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