Political Science and Government at University of Missouri-St Louis

A political science degree from UMSL lands graduates squarely in the middle nationally but slightly below Missouri's state median—$42,504 four years out versus $36,886 statewide. That's a meaningful gap when you consider Missouri already ranks as a moderate-earning state for this major. You're paying somewhat above the state's typical debt load ($25,250 versus $23,098) while earning less than graduates from Mizzou, Missouri State, or Truman State. The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four is respectable, but it's not enough to overcome the lukewarm starting point.

The debt picture isn't alarming—a 0.70 ratio means manageable monthly payments—but combined with below-median state earnings, this creates a value gap. If your child is considering UMSL for location or affordability reasons, they should know they're likely trading some earning potential compared to other Missouri options. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty; these numbers could shift significantly with more data.

For families focused on return on investment, this program falls into "proceed with caution" territory. If your student has compelling non-financial reasons to choose UMSL—campus fit, proximity to internships in St. Louis city government—those might justify the tradeoff. Otherwise, the state flagship or Truman State would likely deliver better earnings for similar or lower debt.