Political Science and Government at Western Michigan University

Western Michigan's political science program delivers something increasingly rare: below-average debt paired with above-average earnings. At $26,564 in typical borrowing, graduates owe about $3,000 less than the national median for this major, while earning $38,744 their first year out—roughly $3,100 more than the typical political science graduate nationwide. That 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about 8 months of gross salary, a manageable starting point for a liberal arts degree. Among Michigan's 27 political science programs, this one ranks solidly in the 60th percentile for earnings, trailing only the flagship schools and a few selective liberal arts colleges.

The trajectory looks sustainable too. Earnings climb 22% to $47,068 by year four, suggesting graduates are finding their footing in careers or graduate programs. While these aren't business-major numbers, they're competitive for the social sciences, and the modest debt load means graduates have flexibility to pursue lower-paying public service work, grad school, or pivot to other fields without being hamstrung by payments.

For families concerned about return on investment in liberal arts, this program offers a practical path: reasonable borrowing at an accessible university (85% admission rate) with outcomes that outperform most peer institutions. It won't match the earning power of Michigan's top research universities, but at a likely lower sticker price and without the admission barriers, it's a sensible option for students interested in politics, law, or public affairs.