Political Science and Government at Ohio University-Eastern Campus

Ohio University-Eastern's political science program stands out for its strong earnings trajectory rather than its starting salary. First-year graduates earn $38,753—roughly matching state peers and modestly above the national median—but by year four, earnings jump 32% to $51,290. That's a meaningful acceleration that puts graduates ahead of most Ohio programs beyond the top-tier schools like Miami and Ashland.

The debt picture is reasonable: $24,625 translates to a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, below both state and national medians. This means graduates leave with manageable payments relative to their income, and as earnings grow into the $50,000 range, that burden becomes lighter. Among Ohio's 52 political science programs, this one lands in the 60th percentile for earnings—middle-of-the-pack but trending upward.

The real question is whether your child's career goals align with this growth pattern. Political science graduates often need time to establish themselves in government, nonprofits, or adjacent fields where experience matters more than credentials alone. If they're comfortable with a modest start in exchange for solid mid-career prospects and affordable debt, this program delivers. The low Pell Grant enrollment (just 9%) suggests a campus that may lack economic diversity, but the financial fundamentals are sound for students willing to play the long game.