Political Science and Government at University of Wyoming

University of Wyoming's political science program outperforms national expectations despite limited in-state comparison options. Graduates earn nearly $40,000 in their first year—placing them above 73% of political science programs nationwide—and see solid growth to $53,000 by year four. That 33% earnings bump suggests graduates are successfully moving into better-paying positions or policy roles beyond entry-level work. For a program at an open-access institution, these outcomes are notably strong.

The debt picture is reasonable at just under $24,000, creating a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio. Students borrow roughly what graduates earn in seven months, which gives them breathing room compared to many liberal arts degrees. As the only political science program tracked in Wyoming, there's no state-level competition to benchmark against, though graduates perform solidly against the national median.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, so don't treat them as gospel. But the overall pattern—moderate debt, above-average starting salaries, and meaningful earnings growth—suggests this program prepares students well for the realities of political and policy work. For Wyoming families seeking an affordable liberal arts degree with decent earning potential, this represents a sensible option.