Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree) at Bethel University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,944

Est. from IN median (10 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from IN median (5 programs)

Analysis

Indiana's political science programs typically produce first-year earnings around $35,000, and Bethel's graduates likely fall within this range. Based on comparable programs in the state, students here can expect about $27,000 in debt—slightly above the state median but manageable given the field. The 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in reasonable territory, though it's worth noting that political science generally requires graduate school or strategic career planning to reach higher earning potential.

The gap between Bethel and Indiana's top programs is substantial. Notre Dame graduates earn nearly $20,000 more in their first year, while even mid-tier state schools like Ball State and Purdue produce earnings $5,000-$10,000 higher. For a program with a 99% admission rate serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students, these estimated outcomes suggest students may face more financial pressure early in their careers than peers at more selective institutions.

If your child is set on political science, recognize that the bachelor's degree is often just the beginning—many successful careers in this field require internships, geographic flexibility, or additional credentials. The estimated debt load here won't be crushing, but neither does it position graduates for immediate financial comfort. Consider whether Bethel offers the networking, internship pipelines, or graduate school preparation that can help close the earnings gap with better-resourced programs in the state.

Where Bethel University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (33 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Bethel UniversityMishawaka	$33,320	$34,944*	—	$27,000*	—
University of Notre DameNotre Dame	$62,693	$55,316*	$68,814	$19,000*	0.34
DePauw UniversityGreencastle	$57,070	$44,224*	$60,137	$27,000*	0.61
Ball State UniversityMuncie	$10,758	$39,755*	$38,880	$25,410*	0.64
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette	$9,992	$39,708*	$59,857	$20,000*	0.50
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$36,535*	$55,980	$18,500*	0.51
National Median	—	$35,627*	—	$23,500*	0.66

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bethel University, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.