Political Science and Government at Lyon College

A political science bachelor's from a small Arkansas college carries an estimated $24,625 in debt—slightly above both state and national medians for the field—while first-year earnings based on comparable programs hover around $35,627. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 is manageable, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off student loans within about 8 months of their first year's salary, but the bigger question is whether those earnings are competitive enough to justify the price tag.

The earnings estimate aligns with the national median for political science programs, but it's worth noting that larger Arkansas institutions with reported data show similar outcomes: University of Arkansas graduates earn $33,745 and UCA graduates make $31,348 in their first year. This suggests Lyon's program—serving a student body where 36% receive Pell grants—is likely priced comparably to what peer programs deliver in terms of early career earnings, though without actual data from Lyon graduates, there's inherent uncertainty about how their specific outcomes might differ.

For families considering this program, the key insight is that political science degrees typically don't command high starting salaries regardless of where you earn them. With estimated debt pushing nearly $25,000 and first-year earnings in the mid-$30,000s, this path makes most sense if your child has clear plans for graduate school, law school, or government work where the credential opens specific doors. If they're still exploring what to do with a political science degree, the debt burden becomes harder to justify on uncertain career prospects alone.