Political Science and Government at Heidelberg University

Ohio's political science bachelor's programs typically launch graduates near $37,000 in first-year earnings—right where Heidelberg appears to land based on state peer data. The estimated $26,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly 70% of their first salary. That's reasonable territory for a liberal arts degree, though parents should note this falls well below what similar programs at Miami University-Oxford ($46,000) or Ashland University ($44,000) are producing.

The jump to $42,572 by year four suggests steady income growth, which matters for a field where many graduates enter government, nonprofit work, or pursue graduate education before their careers fully accelerate. Political science degrees are notoriously diverse in outcomes—some graduates clerk in law offices or campaign offices making $32,000, others land corporate government relations roles at $50,000. The moderate debt at least doesn't lock students into high-paying options they might not want.

For families weighing this investment: the numbers work if your student plans to leverage this degree strategically—whether that's law school, public administration, or corporate roles that value research and writing skills. If they're uncertain about next steps after graduation, comparable programs at state universities might offer similar outcomes with less financial exposure. The key question isn't whether political science pays immediately (it doesn't top the charts), but whether $26,000 is acceptable debt for launching a career that requires patience and planning.