Political Science and Government at Wright State University-Main Campus

Wright State's Political Science program starts with an alarmingly low first-year salary of $27,477—landing in the bottom 10% nationally and trailing the Ohio median by nearly $10,000. While graduates nearly double their earnings by year four to $55,318, that initial struggle matters: it means spending your first year or two after college making less than many retail managers, all while carrying $26,000 in debt. Even within Ohio's more affordable political science programs, Wright State ranks at just the 25th percentile, far behind schools like Miami University ($46,428) or even regional options like Capital University ($39,807).

The dramatic earnings jump suggests many graduates eventually land better positions—possibly in government roles with stepped pay scales or after completing additional credentials. But that first-year-to-year-four pattern also hints at a difficult transition period where debt payments could strain a tight budget. The 95:100 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it's uncomfortable when your starting salary barely covers basic living expenses in Dayton.

If your child is set on political science and Wright State's accessibility appeals to you, understand they'll likely need a clear plan beyond the bachelor's degree—whether that's graduate school, specific internships, or connections that bypass that tough initial job market. Otherwise, Ohio offers political science programs with stronger early-career outcomes at comparable or even lower debt levels.