Political Science and Government at Webster University

Political science graduates in Missouri typically earn around $37,000 in their first year, and Webster's estimated outcomes align closely with that state median—though it's worth noting these figures come from comparable programs rather than Webster's own reported data. The estimated $24,000 debt burden sits right at the national norm for this major, producing a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's a reasonable starting point, though not dramatically different from what you'd find at Missouri's public universities, where similar programs report first-year earnings in the $36,000-$40,000 range.

The real question becomes whether Webster's particular advantages—its smaller classes, international focus, and Saint Louis connections—justify its private school premium when the earnings trajectory appears to track with state averages. Political science degrees generally serve as foundations for further education or entry into competitive fields like law, policy, or government work, where the initial salary matters less than the trajectory. If your child is planning graduate school or needs those first jobs to be stepping stones rather than destinations, the estimated debt load is workable. But if they're expecting the bachelor's degree alone to launch a lucrative career, peer programs suggest more modest expectations are warranted, regardless of where they earn it.