Political Science and Government at DePaul University

DePaul's political science program stands out for its earnings trajectory rather than its starting point. While the $37,531 first-year salary sits only modestly above the Illinois median of $34,418, graduates see their earnings jump 40% to $52,563 by year four—a growth rate that suggests strong professional development and career progression. Among Illinois programs, this sits at the 60th percentile, placing it ahead of Loyola and most public universities while remaining well behind elite Northwestern and University of Chicago.

The $24,499 debt load is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 that most graduates should be able to handle within standard repayment timelines. This ratio improves significantly as earnings grow, and it's actually slightly lower than both state and national medians for political science programs. The 31% Pell grant population and 74% admission rate suggest DePaul serves a broad student base, not just privileged applicants with family safety nets.

For a political science degree in Chicago—a city with robust opportunities in nonprofit, government, and advocacy sectors—DePaul delivers solid mid-tier value. The real payoff appears three to four years out when graduates have established themselves professionally. Families should recognize this isn't a shortcut to elite consulting or law firm positions, but it's a reasonable path for students interested in policy work or public service who plan to stay in the workforce after graduation.