Political Science and Government at University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas's political science program delivers something rare in this field: strong earnings growth that more than makes up for a modest start. While graduates begin at $33,745—slightly below the national median—they reach $55,403 by year four, a 64% jump that signals genuine career momentum. Among Arkansas's 18 political science programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, meaningfully ahead of the state median of $32,546.

The debt picture reinforces this program's value. At $25,370, graduates carry manageable loans—less than one year's starting salary and below most in-state alternatives. The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in a comfortable zone, especially given how quickly earnings accelerate. By year four, that debt represents less than half of annual income, a trajectory that makes repayment straightforward.

For Arkansas families, this program offers solid in-state value. You're getting above-average outcomes within the state at a reasonable cost, with the added benefit of attending the state's flagship university and its broader network. Political science rarely produces six-figure salaries, but this path provides financial stability and clear upward momentum—exactly what you want from a liberal arts degree at a public university price point.