Political Science and Government at Augustana University

Augustana University's political science program posts eye-catching numbers—$46,646 starting salary and just $27,000 in median debt—that place it well ahead of both national benchmarks and South Dakota peers. That 95th percentile national ranking is particularly striking when you consider the typical political science graduate nationally earns just $35,627. Among South Dakota programs, where the state median sits at $34,337, Augustana graduates are earning roughly $12,000 more right out of the gate.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 is excellent for a liberal arts field, meaning graduates owe less than seven months' salary. Earnings growth to $51,831 by year four shows reasonable momentum, though the 11% bump is modest. The real question mark here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in the data set means these figures could swing considerably year to year. A few graduates landing particularly strong jobs in Pierre or securing out-of-state opportunities could significantly skew the averages.

For a moderately selective private school, these outcomes justify serious consideration, especially if your student is committed to politics, law school prep, or public affairs careers where Augustana's South Dakota network matters. Just recognize you're looking at a small program where individual outcomes vary widely, not a large cohort with predictable results.