Political Science and Government at Earlham College

A $27,000 debt load for a political science degree is manageable compared to many programs, but similar programs across Indiana suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—creating a tight financial picture in those early years. The 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within workable territory, though graduates should expect monthly loan payments to claim a noticeable chunk of their take-home pay. What's worth noting is the gap between Earlham's estimated outcomes and what Indiana's flagship programs deliver: Notre Dame political science graduates earn roughly $55,000 their first year, while Ball State and Purdue both see nearly $40,000.

The estimation here reflects Earlham's small cohort sizes rather than any data reporting issue, so it's hard to know whether this specific program performs better or worse than the state average. However, the national median for political science bachelor's degrees sits right at $35,627, suggesting the Indiana estimates align with typical outcomes nationwide. For a liberal arts college with a 74% admission rate, these numbers track with what you'd expect—solid but not exceptional preparation for entry-level positions in government, nonprofits, or corporate settings.

The practical takeaway: this program likely won't saddle your child with crushing debt, but it also won't provide the immediate earning power that larger research universities in the state demonstrate. If your child is set on Earlham's community and teaching approach, the financial risk is moderate. If maximizing early-career earnings matters more, the data suggests looking at Indiana's larger public universities.