Political Science and Government at John Carroll University

The numbers here tell a difficult story, though the small sample size means they might not represent the typical graduate's experience. John Carroll's political science program shows graduates earning $28,507 in their first year—about $9,000 below the Ohio median and in the bottom quarter of similar programs statewide. While debt of $23,000 is manageable on paper, it's nearly equivalent to that first year's salary, creating immediate financial pressure for recent graduates.

The dramatic earnings jump to $51,820 by year four offers some reassurance that graduates eventually find their footing, but that four-year wait is considerable. Compare this trajectory to top Ohio programs like Miami University, where graduates start at $46,428—essentially skipping the low-earning early years altogether. Even among Ohio's 52 political science programs, John Carroll ranks near the middle in outcomes despite its selective admissions profile.

For a family considering this program, the key question is whether your student has the financial cushion to absorb those difficult first few years. If significant parental support or additional scholarships can offset living expenses early on, the long-term trajectory looks more reasonable. But if your child needs to be financially independent quickly after graduation, the delayed earnings ramp-up creates real risk. Given the small sample, request more detailed outcome data from the university before committing.