Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Wisconsin's political science programs cluster tightly in first-year earnings, and while UW-Platteville's data is suppressed due to small sample size, comparable programs across the state suggest around $38,600—competitive with most UW System schools and well above the $35,600 national median for this degree. Only UW-Oshkosh and Madison break meaningfully higher, so students here aren't necessarily sacrificing earning power for a regional campus.

The estimated debt load of $23,700 translates to a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about seven months' salary. That's reasonable territory for a bachelor's degree, particularly when the school serves a population where only 21% receive Pell grants—suggesting most students have some family financial support. Political science degrees rarely lead directly to high-paying jobs without graduate school or targeted career development, so the modest debt ceiling matters more than chasing marginally higher starting salaries.

The real question is what your child plans to do with this degree. If they're pre-law, heading toward public administration graduate school, or targeting government work that values a credential over the specific institution, Platteville offers a cost-effective foundation. If they're uncertain about career direction, though, recognize that $38,600 doesn't leave much cushion for extended job searches or unpaid internships that often follow liberal arts degrees.