Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater's political science program outpaces most in-state alternatives while keeping debt manageable—a combination that matters when Wisconsin offers 23 different options. First-year graduates earn $39,042, which ranks in the 60th percentile statewide and beats the state median by about $400. More importantly, debt loads here run slightly higher than typical Wisconsin programs ($25,791 vs. $23,383 state median), but the 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than eight months of their starting salary. That's a reasonable starting point for a liberal arts degree.

The earnings trajectory looks solid too. Four years out, the median climbs to $51,411—a 32% increase that suggests graduates are finding their footing in careers rather than stagnating in entry-level positions. While UW-Oshkosh and UW-Madison graduates edge slightly ahead in first-year earnings, the gap narrows over time, and Whitewater's lower admission selectivity means more students can access these outcomes without elite credentials.

For families weighing Wisconsin public universities, Whitewater delivers competitive earnings without the debt premium charged by some peer institutions. The program won't match business or STEM salaries, but it positions graduates reasonably well within the political science field nationally and performs squarely in the middle tier for Wisconsin—a practical choice if your student is committed to this major.