Political Science and Government at Coe College

Based on comparable political science programs in Iowa, Coe's graduates appear to face a manageable financial equation, with estimated debt of $21,138 against first-year earnings around $36,662. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio sits below both the state and national median debt loads for this major, suggesting a relatively lighter burden coming out of this small liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids.

The earnings estimate—derived from Iowa's five political science bachelor's programs with reported data—puts Coe in the middle of the pack statewide. Programs at Iowa's public universities generally show stronger first-year outcomes, with University of Iowa graduates earning about $2,500 more annually. Still, political science isn't typically a high-earning major straight out of college, and these figures align with what similar programs produce nationally. The real value often emerges through the career trajectories that follow—law school, public service, advocacy work—where a liberal arts foundation matters more than immediate salary.

What works in Coe's favor is the estimated debt picture. At roughly $2,600 below Iowa's median and $2,400 below the national median for political science degrees, graduates here appear to carry less financial weight into those critical early career years. For parents weighing this investment, the combination suggests reasonable financial risk for a major that typically requires patience and strategic career building rather than immediate returns.