Political Science and Government at Butler University

Butler's political science program costs roughly $27,000 in student debt for outcomes that mirror the Indiana median—about $35,000 in first-year earnings based on comparable programs across the state. That 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it doesn't provide much cushion for a humanities graduate entering a competitive job market where many entry positions start in the low-to-mid $30,000s.

The more telling context comes from what other Indiana schools achieve. Notre Dame political science graduates earn nearly $20,000 more annually, while DePauw and both Ball State and Purdue all produce significantly stronger first-year outcomes. Even with Butler's selective admissions profile (SAT scores averaging 1282), the estimated earnings here don't suggest the program is positioning graduates for the policy, law, or advocacy roles that typically justify political science degrees financially.

For families considering Butler at this price point, the question is whether the campus experience and Indianapolis connections offset what appears to be fairly typical outcomes for Indiana political science programs. The debt load is manageable if your child has clear career plans—government internships, law school preparation, or nonprofit work where Butler's network matters—but less defensible if they're exploring broadly or hoping the degree alone will open doors.