Political Science and Government at Anderson University

A $27,000 debt load for earnings around $35,000 might sound manageable on paper, but Anderson's political science program sits in challenging territory. Based on comparable programs across Indiana, graduates typically earn just under the national median, while the estimated debt burden exceeds both state and national benchmarks for this major. That 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly eight months of gross income would go toward debt—a tight squeeze for recent graduates navigating rent, car payments, and living expenses.

The comparison to Indiana's stronger programs is stark. Notre Dame and DePauw political science graduates earn $20,000+ more in their first year, while even public universities like Ball State and Purdue show $5,000-10,000 advantages. Anderson's 53% admission rate and mid-1000s SAT scores suggest it's accessible, but that accessibility doesn't appear to translate into competitive labor market outcomes for political science majors specifically.

If your child is set on political science, push them to investigate how Anderson students actually leverage this degree—internships, graduate school placement, career services support. The estimated figures suggest this program underperforms its peers in earning potential while carrying above-average debt. Without concrete evidence that Anderson provides distinctive value in this field, families should seriously consider the stronger-performing alternatives available in Indiana, particularly if cost differences are modest.