WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-10% vs national median335 grads tracked

Political Science and Government at Western Illinois University

Ranked 187th of 322 bachelor's programs in Political Science and Government by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,778
middle 50%: $23,697 – $45,156
Median · 5 years out
$56,045
middle 50%: $41,367 – $73,373
Median · 10 years out
$77,576
middle 50%: $54,453 – $105,799

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Political Science and Government (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in Political Science and Government earn a median $32,778 one year after graduating, rising to $77,576 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% below the national median of $62,236 for this field, ranking 187th of 322 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7.7 yrs
≈ $9,425 total interest

Same major at other universities

Eastern Illinois University
$56,706 · 5 yrs out
McNeese State University
$56,500 · 5 yrs out
Hampton University
$56,428 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$56,365 · 5 yrs out
Georgia College & State University
$56,216 · 5 yrs out
Southern Utah University
$56,069 · 5 yrs out
University of North Georgia
$56,041 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$56,029 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$56,024 · 5 yrs out
Randolph College
$56,007 · 5 yrs out
Midwestern State University
$55,978 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
$55,968 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out

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