Analysis
Ohio's political science programs typically produce first-year earnings around $37,000, which is where similar programs at schools like Wilmington College tend to land—slightly above the national median but thousands below what graduates from Miami University or Ashland University report. The estimated $26,000 debt load, if accurate, pushes this program's debt-to-earnings ratio to 0.70, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of their starting salary.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from peer institutions rather than actual Wilmington College outcomes, parents are essentially betting on whether this particular program mirrors the state median or falls somewhere else in Ohio's wide range. Given that top performers in the state see earnings 25% higher, there's meaningful variation among programs with the same credential and major.
For families comfortable with $26,000 in debt, this estimated outcome suggests manageable repayment—but only if the assumptions hold. The safer approach would be seeking programs with reported data showing actual graduate outcomes, particularly if other Ohio schools with transparent results offer similar admission accessibility and financial aid profiles.
Where Wilmington College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (52 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,962 | $37,345* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $17,809 | $46,428* | $57,775 | $25,000* | 0.54 | |
| $28,910 | $44,455* | $45,212 | $26,738* | 0.60 | |
| $48,125 | $41,710* | $55,109 | $26,000* | 0.62 | |
| $41,788 | $39,807* | $46,588 | $26,218* | 0.66 | |
| $69,330 | $39,550* | $43,685 | $18,354* | 0.46 | |
| National Median | — | $35,627* | — | $23,500* | 0.66 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates
Political Scientists
Economists
Environmental Economists
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Wilmington College, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 26 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.