Political Science and Government at Luther College

Luther College's political science graduates start well behind their peers, earning just $21,358 in their first year—a figure that places them in the bottom 10% both nationally and within Iowa. That's 42% below the state median and nearly $18,000 less than what University of Iowa graduates earn. The debt load of $27,000 exceeds both state and national medians, creating an uncomfortable first-year scenario where debt is 1.26 times annual earnings.

The dramatic turnaround to $50,562 by year four tells a more optimistic story, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in careers or graduate programs. However, interpret this with caution: the sample size is very small (under 30 graduates), meaning a few high earners could be skewing the later numbers upward. If your child is considering Luther for political science specifically, recognize they'll likely face lean early years even as their peers at Iowa's public universities hit steadier earnings from the start.

For families, the question is whether Luther's broader liberal arts experience justifies starting so far behind the pack. The eventual earnings recovery suggests the degree isn't career-ending, but those first few years managing $27,000 in debt on a $21,000 salary will require either family support or extreme budgeting—or both.