Political Science and Government at Concordia University-Wisconsin

Wisconsin's political science graduates face a challenging earnings landscape, and Concordia's estimated outcomes based on peer programs—$38,634 in first-year earnings against $22,500 in debt—land right in the middle of that reality. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 is manageable, suggesting about seven months of pre-tax income to cover what students borrow. That's workable, though not comfortable, especially since political science often leads to careers in government, nonprofits, or graduate school rather than immediate high-paying work.

The estimated earnings here match the Wisconsin median exactly, but that's where context matters. The UW system's political science programs—from Milwaukee to Madison—are all reporting actual outcomes above $40,000, with some graduates earning nearly $4,000 more in their first year. Whether Concordia's smaller, private-college environment compensates for that gap depends entirely on what connections and opportunities the program provides beyond the classroom. Political science degrees live or die by internships, networks, and career services, and those aren't captured in these peer-based estimates.

For parents, this comes down to whether your child has a clear plan. If they're heading to law school or a specific government position where Concordia's relationships matter, the estimated debt burden is reasonable. If they're uncertain about next steps, programs at UW schools offer similar estimated debt with slightly stronger earnings momentum based on reported data from those institutions.