Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

That first-year earnings figure of $26,268 ranks in the bottom 10% of Wisconsin political science programs and bottom 5% nationally—a significant underperformance that should worry parents considering this degree. The 92% jump to $50,481 by year four is impressive growth, but it masks an uncomfortable reality: graduates are spending their first years substantially underpaid compared to peers at UW-Oshkosh ($42,366) or UW-Madison ($42,063). With debt of $23,968 and a ratio of 0.91, students are borrowing nearly a full year's worth of those anemic starting wages.

The dramatic earnings recovery suggests graduates eventually find their footing, possibly through graduate school or career pivots that take time to materialize. But those early struggling years matter—they're when loan payments begin and when financial independence should start taking shape. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable, but it's worth noting that even with statistical noise, this program stands out as weak compared to other UW System options.

If your child is set on political science and the UW System, the data points clearly toward Madison, Oshkosh, or Stevens Point—all deliver substantially better outcomes from day one. Unless Eau Claire offers unique opportunities that justify those lost early earnings, this looks like a risky investment at standard tuition rates.