Political Science and Government at Wheaton College

Wheaton College's political science graduates earn $45,069 in their first year—ranking in the 80th percentile among Illinois programs and 90th percentile nationally. That's roughly $10,000 more than the typical political science graduate in Illinois earns, placing Wheaton closer to elite Chicago-area programs than its 90% admission rate might suggest. While debt of $23,250 sits near national norms, the ratio of just 0.52 means graduates could theoretically pay off loans in six months of earnings—an unusually manageable burden for a liberal arts degree.

The caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so they may not be representative of every cohort. Still, even with that uncertainty, the gap between Wheaton's outcomes and state averages is significant enough to be meaningful. The combination of strong earnings and moderate debt suggests the program provides solid preparation, whether students are heading to graduate school, non-profits, or entry-level positions in business and government.

For parents weighing options, this looks like a reasonable bet if their child is genuinely interested in political science. The earnings advantage over most Illinois programs gives graduates more financial flexibility early on, and the debt load won't constrain their post-graduation choices. Just recognize that one unusual cohort could be skewing these figures—but the fundamentals appear sound.