Political Science and Government at Nebraska Wesleyan University

A Political Science degree from Nebraska Wesleyan appears to track closely with what similar programs across Nebraska produce—estimated first-year earnings of $35,311 align almost exactly with both the state and national medians for this major. The estimated $24,625 in debt is slightly above the national typical for political science programs ($23,500), yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70. That's manageable by conventional standards, representing roughly nine months of gross income, though it means your graduate will spend several years directing significant portions of their paycheck toward loan repayment.

The challenge here isn't unique to Nebraska Wesleyan—it's inherent to political science bachelor's degrees generally. Peer programs at Nebraska's larger public universities show nearly identical earning patterns, with UNL graduates at $36,364 and UNO at $33,712. This consistency suggests the field itself, rather than the institution, determines early-career outcomes. Political science typically serves as a gateway to graduate school (law, public policy, international relations) or entry-level positions in government, nonprofits, or campaigns—sectors not known for generous starting salaries.

The practical question is whether your child plans to leverage this degree into something more specialized. If law school or a master's program is the goal, accumulating nearly $25,000 in undergraduate debt before taking on additional graduate loans deserves careful financial planning. If they're headed straight to work, comparable programs suggest $35,000 salaries are the realistic starting point—enough to manage this debt level, but not comfortably.