Bachelor's+2% vs national median819 grads tracked
Political Science and Government at Purdue University
Ranked 77th of 322 bachelor's programs in Political Science and Government by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$38,479
middle 50%: $26,867 – $50,957
Median · 5 years out
$63,404
middle 50%: $46,274 – $85,941
Median · 10 years out
$87,324
middle 50%: $60,978 – $129,039
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
Purdue University political science graduates earn a $38k median salary initially. Five-year earnings average $63k, and ten-year earnings reach $87k.
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
6.8 yrs
≈ $8,141 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$64,204 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$64,146 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$63,991 · 5 yrs out
Tarleton State University
$63,485 · 5 yrs out
CUNY York College
$63,411 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$63,301 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$63,247 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$63,237 · 5 yrs out
Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
$63,157 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$63,137 · 5 yrs out
Sweet Briar College
$63,105 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Purdue University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,628 · 5 yrs out