Political Science and Government at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State's political science program lands right in the middle of Kansas offerings but trails the national average by about $5,000 in first-year earnings. Starting at $30,454 puts graduates in the 21st percentile nationally—below three-quarters of similar programs—though they're squarely mid-pack among Kansas schools. The program does have one significant advantage: graduates carry notably less debt than typical, with $30,468 representing the 5th percentile nationally. That translates to a 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with one year's salary.

The comparison to Kansas's flagship universities is instructive. KU graduates earn about $3,200 more in their first year, while K-State grads see roughly $1,800 more. For families weighing Fort Hays's likely lower tuition against future earnings, that gap may narrow or justify itself through reduced upfront costs. However, with a sample size under 30 graduates, these figures could shift considerably year to year.

For parents comfortable with their child pursuing political science—a field where graduate education or location often matter more than undergraduate institution—Fort Hays offers accessible admission and manageable debt. The earnings aren't strong by national standards, but neither is the debt burden crushing. Just recognize you're looking at a data snapshot that might not hold steady.