Political Science and Government at Antioch College

Antioch College serves a predominantly high-need student population—three-quarters qualify for Pell grants—which makes the estimated debt burden here particularly significant. Based on comparable political science programs at similar Ohio schools, graduates might carry around $26,000 in debt while earning approximately $37,345 in their first year. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio sits above the threshold where monthly loan payments start consuming an uncomfortable share of take-home pay, especially for graduates entering nonprofit work or government service where many political science majors land.

The earnings estimate tracks closely with Ohio's typical outcomes for this major, but falls well short of what students achieve at Miami University or Ashland, where first-year earnings exceed $44,000. For a small liberal arts college known for experiential learning and social justice focus—strengths that don't always translate to immediate salary boosts—the question becomes whether Antioch's distinctive education justifies the financial trade-off. The high Pell enrollment suggests many families here can't easily absorb student debt that will take years to pay down on a $37,000 salary.

If your child is drawn to Antioch's progressive mission and hands-on approach, ask the school directly about actual graduate outcomes and career placement support. Given the uncertainty in these estimates and the debt load involved, you need concrete evidence that their specific supports—not just peer program averages—justify the investment for students who may already be starting from a financially vulnerable position.