Political Science and Government at University of Central Oklahoma

University of Central Oklahoma's political science graduates start at $38,063—slightly above both the national and Oklahoma medians for this major. They also rank in the 60th percentile among Oklahoma's 16 programs offering this degree. The low-debt picture is particularly notable: $29,000 is actually below the state median of $23,000 when looking at the national scale (5th percentile), resulting in a manageable 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, earnings remain essentially flat four years out, suggesting graduates may need to pursue law school, graduate degrees, or pivot into other fields to see meaningful salary growth.

The caveat here matters: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers. That said, the combination of below-average debt and above-median starting earnings creates a reasonable foundation, particularly if your child plans to use this degree as a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential. Oklahoma State's political science program shows lower earnings ($33,484), making UCO's performance relatively competitive within the state.

For families prioritizing affordable access to a political science degree—especially those considering law school or public service careers where undergraduate debt matters—UCO delivers solid value. Just understand that the bachelor's degree alone appears to offer limited earnings trajectory without additional credentials or strategic career pivots.