Political Science and Government at Carthage College
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Carthage's political science graduates earn $24,259 in their first year—roughly $14,000 below Wisconsin's median for the major and landing in just the 10th percentile statewide. That places them behind every UW campus in the state and nearly $18,000 behind UW-Oshkosh grads in the same field. Even compared nationally, where political science earnings are already modest, Carthage ranks in the bottom 5%.
The debt picture offers little relief. While the $19,190 median is lower than state and national averages, it still represents nearly 80% of first-year earnings—a burden that would take considerable time to manage on these wages. This becomes particularly concerning when you see that other Wisconsin programs routinely launch grads into $40,000+ first-year salaries with similar debt loads.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the gap is too large to dismiss. If political science is the goal, Wisconsin families have multiple public options that deliver substantially better outcomes. For a private college charging premium tuition, Carthage's political science program hasn't demonstrated it can compete with in-state alternatives on the metric that matters most: career launch.
Where Carthage College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Carthage College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Carthage College graduates earn $24k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all political science and government bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (23 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carthage College | $24,259 | — | $19,190 | 0.79 |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | $42,366 | — | $25,015 | 0.59 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | $42,063 | $56,465 | $22,000 | 0.52 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | $41,455 | $39,639 | $21,313 | 0.51 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $40,487 | $50,414 | $24,000 | 0.59 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | $39,042 | $51,411 | $25,791 | 0.66 |
| National Median | $35,627 | — | $23,500 | 0.66 |
Other Political Science and Government Programs in Wisconsin
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Wisconsin schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh | $8,212 | $42,366 | $25,015 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison | $11,205 | $42,063 | $22,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point | $8,834 | $41,455 | $21,313 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee | $10,020 | $40,487 | $24,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater | $8,250 | $39,042 | $25,791 |
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 Carthage College, approximately 26% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.