Political Science and Government at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's political science graduates start earning $37,944—roughly $1,000 above the Missouri median for the program and nearly $2,500 above the national average. While that may not sound like much of an edge initially, the earnings trajectory tells a more compelling story: by year four, median earnings jump to over $50,000, representing 32% growth. That's solid progression for a field often criticized for poor early returns.

The debt picture strengthens the case. At $20,500, graduates here borrow about $2,600 less than typical Missouri political science majors and $3,000 less than the national norm. That creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54—meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, which most financial advisors would consider reasonable. Among Missouri's political science programs, Missouri State lands squarely in the middle of the pack earnings-wise, trailing Truman State and Mizzou but ahead of several others.

The main caution: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly. Still, for families looking at an affordable political science degree in Missouri, this program delivers above-average earnings with below-average debt—a combination that makes the investment more defensible than at many comparable schools.