Political Science and Government at Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ohio University-Southern's political science program shows an encouraging earnings trajectory that defies the usual pattern for this major. While graduates start around $38,750—already above both the national and Ohio medians—they see incomes climb to over $51,000 by year four, representing 32% growth. That puts this regional campus ahead of 60% of Ohio political science programs in earnings, despite its less prominent name recognition compared to flagship programs.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $24,625, it's actually below the state median, yielding a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio. You're essentially borrowing less than seven months of first-year income, which is reasonable by liberal arts standards. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings means graduates have breathing room that many political science majors elsewhere don't get.

The main caveat is understanding what's driving those mid-career earnings gains. Political science careers can vary wildly—from nonprofit work to government jobs to unexpected paths in business or law. With a moderate sample size, these results reflect real outcomes but may not predict every student's experience. For families considering this regional campus option, the numbers suggest graduates find solid career footing, even if they're not heading to elite Miami or Kenyon programs that command $10,000+ higher starting salaries.