Political Science and Government at University of Missouri-Kansas City

UMKC's political science program stands out for one crucial reason: graduates leave with just $13,102 in debt—far below the $23,500 national median and even the $23,098 state average. This exceptional debt figure puts borrowers in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning they owe less than 95% of political science graduates elsewhere.

The earnings trajectory here is instructive. While initial earnings estimates based on comparable Missouri programs suggest around $36,900 in the first year—essentially matching state and national norms—graduates reach $56,070 by year four. That's a substantial 52% increase that matters more than most parents realize. With such low debt, first-year graduates would face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.36, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross salary. By year four, the financial pressure essentially evaporates.

The real story is what this cost-to-outcome picture enables. Your child wouldn't face the impossible choice many political science majors confront: taking a higher-paying job they don't want just to service debt, or pursuing meaningful public sector or nonprofit work while drowning in payments. At UMKC, the low debt load makes either path viable—and that flexibility is precisely what makes a liberal arts degree valuable in the first place.