Political Science and Government at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State's Cascades campus produces political science graduates who start modestly but see dramatic income growth—jumping from $39,000 to nearly $60,000 within four years. That 52% earnings increase stands out in a field where many graduates struggle to gain economic traction early in their careers.

Within Oregon, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, slightly ahead of the state's flagship University of Oregon campus and well above Portland State's political science outcomes. The $24,260 debt load is essentially on par with both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 that drops considerably as those mid-career earnings kick in. Starting at $39,000 isn't glamorous, but it's meaningfully above the national median for political science programs.

The catch: this data comes from a moderate-sized sample at a relatively small campus, so individual career outcomes may vary more than at larger programs. For Oregon families weighing this against other in-state options, the Cascades campus offers competitive first-year outcomes with notably stronger earnings trajectory than most alternatives. If your child is willing to navigate a slower financial start for broader career development, the four-year earnings pattern suggests this investment pays off.