Political Science and Government at Denison University

Denison's political science program shows a puzzling disconnect between the school's selectivity and its graduates' early outcomes. Despite being one of Ohio's most competitive schools (17% admit rate, 1395 SAT), the program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Ohio's 52 political science programs—trailing peer liberal arts colleges like Kenyon by $8,000 and falling $6,000 below the state median. First-year earnings of $31,000 lag both state and national benchmarks significantly.

The program does show substantial earnings recovery, nearly doubling to $59,000 by year four. This rebound suggests graduates successfully transition into better-paying positions after initial post-college roles, possibly in government, nonprofits, or graduate school pathways. The debt load of $24,125 remains manageable relative to these later earnings, though it's higher than the four-year mark can justify when measured against that difficult first year.

The critical caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them statistically unreliable. One cohort landing competitive fellowships or several pursuing unpaid internships could swing these figures dramatically. For families paying Denison's premium tuition, you're essentially investing based on faith in the broader Denison network and credential rather than demonstrated program outcomes. If your student is debt-averse or needs immediate post-graduation earning power, stronger-performing Ohio options exist at lower price points.