Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Parkside

A first-year salary around $38,600 for a political science degree—based on what similar Wisconsin programs produce—runs into a mathematical challenge that's common across the liberal arts. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 means your child would owe roughly seven months of gross income, which is manageable compared to many humanities programs nationally. But the real question is whether political science leads to careers that justify the investment, and comparable programs in Wisconsin suggest a ceiling that may disappoint.

Looking at peer institutions with reported data, UW-Parkside's estimated outcomes sit at the lower end of Wisconsin's political science programs. Top performers like UW-Oshkosh and UW-Madison produce graduates earning $42,000+, while this estimate suggests figures closer to $38,600. The debt load appears typical for the state, but what matters more is the trajectory: political science majors often need graduate school or strategic internships to access higher-paying careers in law, policy, or advocacy. Without that additional investment, many graduates cycle through administrative or nonprofit roles where salaries climb slowly.

The practical reality: if your child is set on political science, push them toward internships in Madison or Milwaukee during their undergraduate years and have frank conversations about law school or public administration programs. The estimated outcomes here suggest this degree opens doors, but not necessarily to rooms with high ceilings—at least not immediately after graduation.