Political Science and Government at Dickinson State University

A bachelor's in Political Science from this North Dakota institution comes with an estimated debt load of around $23,000—roughly in line with what similar programs nationally charge—but the earnings picture raises questions. Based on comparable political science programs nationally, first-year earnings around $35,600 sound reasonable until you look at North Dakota specifically, where the state median sits at just $26,635. North Dakota State, the only in-state program with reported data, shows graduates earning that lower figure, suggesting the national estimate may be optimistic for the local job market.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 appears manageable on paper, but that assumes earnings closer to the national benchmark materialize. If actual outcomes track closer to what other North Dakota programs produce, you're looking at a less favorable picture: debt nearly equal to first-year earnings in a state where political science careers may not command the same salaries as larger markets. For a field that often requires graduate school for competitive positions, starting with $23,000 in undergraduate debt narrows your options.

Given the small program size that triggered these estimates, ask the school directly about graduate outcomes and where recent students have landed jobs. The gap between national projections and North Dakota reality matters here—you need to know whether graduates are staying in-state or whether they're heading to markets where that $35,600 figure is achievable.