Political Science and Government at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Wheaton's political science graduates start at just $32,669—well below both the national median of $35,627 and especially concerning when compared to Massachusetts' $43,010 median. Among Bay State political science programs, Wheaton ranks in the bottom quarter (25th percentile), lagging significantly behind not just elite programs like Tufts and Harvard, but also the typical in-state option.

The trajectory improves substantially, with earnings jumping 74% to $56,936 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in careers or graduate school outcomes. The debt load of $26,298 is relatively manageable—lighter than most Massachusetts programs—but that first-year earnings dip creates a rough initial period where loan payments will strain most budgets. For a selective liberal arts college with a 1321 average SAT, these outcomes seem underwhelming compared to peer institutions in the state.

The small sample size here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of students pursuing low-paid nonprofit work or taking gap years could skew the entire picture. If your child is considering Wheaton for political science, the financial case hinges on what happens after that difficult first year. The four-year number suggests eventual recovery, but families should carefully compare financial aid packages against stronger-performing Massachusetts alternatives where graduates start closer to $43,000.