Political Science and Government at DePauw University

DePauw's political science graduates start strong at $44,224—nearly $10,000 above the Indiana median for this major—and earnings jump substantially to over $60,000 by year four. This places DePauw in the 80th percentile among Indiana political science programs, though still well behind Notre Dame's elite outcomes. The small but selective liberal arts environment appears to deliver meaningful networking advantages, with debt levels staying relatively modest at $27,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 is manageable, especially given the strong upward earnings trajectory. While Indiana doesn't typically dominate political science outcomes nationally, DePauw's results actually rank in the 88th percentile across all U.S. programs—suggesting the school's career services and alumni connections transcend its regional location. The 36% earnings growth over four years indicates graduates are successfully transitioning into professional roles rather than stalling in entry-level positions.

The major caveat: this data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. Still, for families comfortable with DePauw's private school price tag, these numbers suggest the investment pays off more reliably than most political science degrees. You're essentially paying for a credential that opens doors beyond what the major typically provides at larger state schools.