Political Science and Government at Arkansas State University

A bachelor's in political science typically launches graduates into first-year earnings around $35,600 nationally, and Arkansas State appears to track with that benchmark. What sets this program apart is the debt load: at $18,500, graduates here borrow about $5,000 less than their peers at other Arkansas schools and significantly less than the $23,500 national median. That's a meaningful difference when you're starting a career that often requires graduate school or building experience through lower-paying entry positions in nonprofits or government.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe about half their first-year salary—manageable by most standards, though political science degrees typically require additional credentials for higher earning potential. Compared to University of Arkansas grads earning $33,745 or UCA grads at $31,348, the estimated earnings here appear competitive, possibly even favorable, though we're working with derived figures rather than actual outcomes from this specific program.

For parents, the lower debt burden is the real story. If your child plans to pursue law school, public policy work, or other paths common to political science majors, starting with $18,500 rather than $23,500 in debt provides crucial flexibility. Just understand that these earnings figures are national projections, not verified outcomes from Arkansas State's program specifically.