Political Science and Government at University of Central Arkansas

UCA's Political Science program produces graduates earning about $31,000 in their first year—roughly $4,000 below the national median and $1,200 below Arkansas's typical poli sci graduate. That's bottom-quarter performance nationally, though it edges near the state median. The debt load of $21,150 is at least manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that should allow for reasonable repayment even on an entry-level political job or nonprofit salary.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift substantially year to year, but the pattern suggests graduates are entering relatively lower-paying positions compared to peers at other schools. The University of Arkansas, for example, sees its poli sci majors earn $33,745—an extra $2,400 annually that compounds over time. Given UCA's 90% acceptance rate and accessible price point, some of this gap likely reflects student demographics and career network differences rather than program quality alone.

For families considering this major, the key question is whether your student has a clear post-graduation plan. Political science careers vary wildly in earnings—government work, campaigns, law school prep, and nonprofit roles all lead different directions. If your child is using this as pre-law preparation or has specific public sector ambitions, the moderate debt makes sense. But if they're uncertain about next steps, earning $31,000 while carrying loans warrants a serious conversation about backup plans and realistic first-job expectations.