Political Science and Government at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Political Science program requires patience—the $26,635 first-year median puts it in the bottom 5% nationally and well below Illinois's $34,418 state median. Even within Illinois, this program ranks only in the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of the state's political science programs produce better immediate earnings outcomes. The debt load of $26,171, while slightly above state and national benchmarks, creates a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that first year.

However, the trajectory tells a different story. Earnings jump 85% by year four to $49,182, ultimately surpassing both state and national medians by a meaningful margin. This suggests graduates either need time to land relevant positions or benefit from graduate degrees that take a few years to complete. The challenge is weathering those early years—many graduates will struggle with loan payments when their monthly debt service exceeds 10% of gross income.

For families comfortable with a longer timeline to financial stability, this program eventually delivers competitive outcomes at a relatively accessible price point. But if your child needs immediate earning power after graduation—perhaps to support themselves independently or cover housing costs—the first-year reality makes this a risky choice. The strong growth only helps those who can afford to wait.