Political Science and Government at Saint Ambrose University

Similar political science programs in Iowa typically produce first-year earnings around $37,000—right in line with what Saint Ambrose graduates might expect. The estimated $21,000 in debt sits comfortably below both state and national medians for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 that's manageable by most standards. For context, political science bachelor's programs at Iowa's public universities show considerable variation, from Iowa's $39,000 to Iowa State's $31,000 in actual reported outcomes.

The challenge here isn't the numbers themselves but what they don't tell you. With Saint Ambrose's actual data suppressed due to small graduate cohorts, you're betting on peer program outcomes rather than this school's track record. That $37,000 figure represents Iowa's statewide median across five programs—it's an educated guess, not evidence of what Saint Ambrose political science graduates actually earn. The debt estimate faces the same limitation, drawn from just three comparable private schools in the state.

For a family deciding between Saint Ambrose and schools with reported data, this creates a practical dilemma. The estimated financial profile looks reasonable—debt that could be paid off in three to four years if graduates commit significant portions of entry-level salaries. But you're making that calculation without knowing if Saint Ambrose's career services, alumni network, or curriculum actually deliver outcomes matching the state average. If you're leaning toward Saint Ambrose anyway for fit or location, these estimates suggest the financial risk isn't extreme. If you're choosing solely on outcomes, schools with actual data give you firmer ground.