Analysis
A Bachelor's degree in Political Science from University of Evansville appears positioned right at the state median, with comparable Indiana programs suggesting first-year earnings around $34,944—essentially matching both the state and national benchmarks for this major. However, the estimated $27,000 debt load sits slightly above typical borrowing for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77. That's manageable in absolute terms, but it means graduates would be dedicating roughly three-quarters of their first year's income to debt service if they follow standard repayment schedules.
The real challenge emerges when you compare this to peer institutions. Indiana's top political science programs—Notre Dame, DePauw, even public options like Ball State and Purdue—show graduates earning $40,000 to $55,000 in their first year. That $5,000 to $20,000 earnings gap matters significantly when you're carrying similar or even slightly higher debt than those programs. Given University of Evansville's 78% admission rate and relatively moderate selectivity, families should consider whether this particular credential offers enough differentiation to justify the private school price tag over more affordable public alternatives.
For parents, the key question is placement: where do University of Evansville's political science graduates actually land their first jobs, and do those connections justify the investment? Without actual outcome data for this specific program, you're making an informed guess based on similar schools rather than proven track records.
Where University of Evansville Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (33 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,676 | $34,944* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $62,693 | $55,316* | $68,814 | $19,000* | 0.34 | |
| $57,070 | $44,224* | $60,137 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| $10,758 | $39,755* | $38,880 | $25,410* | 0.64 | |
| $9,992 | $39,708* | $59,857 | $20,000* | 0.50 | |
| $10,449 | $36,535* | $55,980 | $18,500* | 0.51 | |
| National Median | — | $35,627* | — | $23,500* | 0.66 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates
Political Scientists
Economists
Environmental Economists
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Evansville, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.