Political Science and Government at University of Chicago

UChicago's political science graduates start at $56,000—57% higher than the national median and 63% above what typical Illinois programs deliver. Among Illinois political science programs, this ranks in the 95th percentile, trailing only Northwestern. That's remarkable for a field often criticized for weak early career earnings, and the trajectory gets stronger: graduates see 41% income growth by year four, reaching nearly $79,000.

The $18,500 in median debt is higher than ideal (83rd percentile nationally), but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means graduates owe just a third of their first-year salary—manageable by any reasonable standard. Compare this to the typical Illinois political science graduate who earns $34,000 while carrying $24,500 in debt. UChicago students are borrowing less while earning substantially more, which fundamentally changes the repayment equation.

For families concerned about liberal arts degrees, this program demonstrates that institutional prestige and network access genuinely matter. UChicago's 5% admission rate and elite peer group translate into tangible career advantages, whether graduates pursue law school, policy work, or corporate strategy roles. The price of entry is steep, but the data suggests political science majors here face dramatically better financial outcomes than peers at other Illinois schools.