Political Science and Government at Jackson State University

A $27,000 debt load for this program falls below the national median, which matters when comparable political science programs typically produce first-year earnings around $36,000. That 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable territory—graduates would need about three-quarters of their first year's salary to cover the debt, though stretched across ten years, monthly payments would claim roughly 8% of gross income. For a family with 68% of students on Pell grants, this level of borrowing represents real financial strain, even if the ratio looks reasonable on paper.

The uncertainty here is significant. With no actual earnings data from Jackson State's own graduates, we're relying on what similar political science programs produce nationally. Mississippi's median of $31,000 for this major runs about 11% below the national figure, and Jackson State serves a student population that faces additional barriers to immediate career placement. The $36,000 estimate could easily be optimistic.

The practical calculation: monthly loan payments around $280 against estimated monthly income of $2,200 after taxes. That leaves little cushion in Mississippi's cost of living, particularly if graduates need time to find work aligned with their degree. For families deciding whether to borrow this amount, the missing piece—what Jackson State's political science graduates actually earn—is the most important one. Without it, you're betting on averages that may not reflect this institution's particular outcomes.