Political Science and Government at Ohio University-Zanesville Campus

Ohio University-Zanesville's political science program defies the common narrative about liberal arts degrees. Starting at $38,753—already above both the national and Ohio medians for this major—graduates see their earnings jump 32% to $51,290 within four years. That trajectory matters more than the modest starting salary suggests, and it's particularly impressive given that this is a regional campus rather than Ohio's flagship institutions.

The debt picture strengthens the case: at $24,625, it's actually below the state median and sits at the 39th percentile nationally (meaning 61% of similar programs leave students with more debt). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64, graduates owe less than what they'll earn in their first year—a manageable starting position that gets easier as those salaries climb. Among Ohio's 52 political science programs, this one ranks solidly in the 60th percentile, outperforming programs at some better-known schools.

The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the earnings growth pattern suggests graduates are finding career traction, not dead ends. For families concerned about the practicality of a political science degree, this program delivers better-than-average preparation at a below-average cost—a combination that makes the investment defensible, particularly if your student has clear goals for how they'll use the degree.