Political Science and Government at Grace College and Theological Seminary

Grace College's political science program sits squarely in the middle—Indiana's 10 reported bachelor's programs in this field cluster tightly around $35,000 in first-year earnings, and this program appears to follow that pattern. With estimated debt of $27,000 against those early earnings, graduates would face manageable monthly payments of roughly $300, consuming about 10% of take-home pay. That's a reasonable starting point for a liberal arts degree, though not particularly advantageous.

The challenge here is competition. Indiana's top political science programs—Notre Dame at $55,000, DePauw at $44,000—demonstrate that employer perceptions vary dramatically based on institutional brand. Even larger state schools like Ball State and Purdue place their graduates $5,000-7,000 ahead annually. For a field where networking, internship access, and alumni connections heavily influence early career outcomes, Grace's smaller platform and regional focus may limit opportunities compared to these alternatives.

The estimated figures suggest Grace delivers what most Indiana political science programs do: a credential that opens entry-level doors in government, nonprofits, or business, but without the earnings premium that justifies higher debt. If your student is considering this program, the decision hinges less on the degree's financial return—which appears standard—and more on whether Grace's particular environment (faith-based, small-campus) offers non-financial benefits worth potentially limited career network access. The debt load is serviceable, but there's little financial cushion if career plans shift.