Political Science and Government at University of Southern Indiana

Political science programs in Indiana typically launch graduates with starting salaries around $35,000, and University of Southern Indiana's estimated outcomes align closely with this state median. With estimated debt of $20,000—actually below both the state and national medians for this major—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 suggests manageable repayment even at these modest starting salaries. The four-year earnings figure of $49,226 shows meaningful progression, though graduates should expect patience in those early years.

The estimated starting salary lags behind what similar programs at Purdue ($39,708) or Ball State ($39,755) typically produce, a gap of roughly $5,000 annually. For a political science degree, career trajectory matters enormously—those heading to law school, graduate programs, or competitive public sector positions will find different value than those entering the workforce directly. The relatively low debt load provides flexibility for further education without crushing financial burden.

Given the 95% admission rate and modest academic profile, USI likely serves students who might not access the higher-earning programs at Notre Dame or DePauw. For families weighing this investment: the debt level won't trap your child, but the estimated starting salary requires realistic planning about living expenses and loan payments. If graduate school is the plan, this could be a cost-effective launching pad; if immediate career earnings matter most, understand that political science rarely pays well early regardless of where the degree comes from.