Political Science and Government at Indiana State University

Indiana State's political science program operates in a challenging middle ground. Graduates earn $33,352 in their first year—about $2,500 below the Indiana median and roughly $6,000 less than peers at Ball State or Purdue. Within Indiana's 33 programs offering this degree, that places ISU students just below the 40th percentile. The debt load of nearly $26,000 is actually typical for the field (close to both state and national medians), creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78. Earnings do climb to $36,694 by year four, though that still trails most public university alternatives in the state.

The real question is whether the accessible admission (92% acceptance rate) and solid Pell grant support (39% of students) justify accepting lower earnings than you'd find at comparable Indiana public universities. If your child is choosing between ISU and Ball State or Purdue, those schools deliver $3,000-$6,000 more in starting salary for similar debt levels. However, one important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians. For students who need ISU's accessibility or location, the debt burden won't be crushing, but families should recognize they're likely sacrificing some earning potential compared to other in-state options.