Political Science and Government at Rockhurst University

Comparable political science programs across Missouri suggest first-year earnings around $36,900 with debt near $24,000—a debt-to-earnings ratio that sits just below 0.7. That's manageable territory, but the estimate masks real variation: Missouri's reported programs range from $35,500 at University of Central Missouri to nearly $40,000 at Truman State, showing that school networks and location matter considerably in this field.

The estimated $24,000 debt load aligns closely with both state and national medians for political science degrees, suggesting Rockhurst's private school price tag doesn't leave graduates with outsized burden. With 19% of students receiving Pell grants and a 69% admission rate, this is an accessible program at a mid-tier private institution. However, political science graduates typically need additional credentials or specific career paths (law school, nonprofit leadership, government positions) to see earnings growth, and the peer data can't tell us how well Rockhurst's specific alumni networks or career services facilitate those transitions.

The practical challenge: you're evaluating based on peer performance rather than this program's actual track record. If your student is considering law school or graduate work, the debt load leaves reasonable room for additional borrowing. For immediate employment after graduation, the estimated numbers suggest modest but survivable financial pressure—provided your student can match or exceed what graduates at Missouri's flagship and regional universities achieve.