Location: Madison, WI•In-State Tuition: $11,205•Out-of-State Tuition: $40,603•Admission Rate: 43%•Avg SAT: 1402
Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,063
81st percentile
60th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Debt
$22,000
6% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.52 ManageableSample: 227 graduates

Analysis

UW-Madison's political science graduates earn substantially more than typical poli sci majors—$42,063 right after graduation, which beats 81% of similar programs nationwide. More importantly, earnings jump 34% by year four to reach $56,465, showing graduates are finding career paths with real advancement potential. The $22,000 in median debt is manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.52, meaning graduates owe about half what they earn in their first year.

The state picture adds nuance: while Madison ranks in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin's 23 political science programs, this primarily reflects the strong overall quality of UW System schools. Madison essentially ties with UW-Oshkosh for the top spot, and both significantly outperform most alternatives. The fact that a flagship public university delivers these results while charging reasonable tuition makes the proposition even stronger than the raw rankings suggest.

For families considering political science—often dismissed as impractical—this data shows Madison graduates build legitimate careers. The earnings trajectory matters more than the starting point here. Graduates aren't just treading water; they're leveraging a respected degree into roles with growth potential. Between manageable debt and solid career momentum, this represents a sensible choice for students genuinely interested in politics, policy, or adjacent fields.

Where University of Wisconsin-Madison Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-MadisonOther political science and government programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-Madison earns $42k — 81th percentile among political science and government bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Wisconsin-Madison$42,063$56,465+34%
Marquette University$38,225$58,230+52%
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater$39,042$51,411+32%
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire$26,268$50,481+92%
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee$40,487$50,414+25%

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (23 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison$11,205$42,063$56,465$22,0000.52
University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh$8,212$42,366—$25,0150.59
University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point$8,834$41,455$39,639$21,3130.51
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee$10,020$40,487$50,414$24,0000.59
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater$8,250$39,042$51,411$25,7910.66
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee$48,700$38,225$58,230$22,5000.59
National Median—$35,627—$23,5000.66

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

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 Wisconsin-Madison, approximately 15% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 227 graduates with reported earnings and 253 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.