Bachelor's-18% vs national median225 grads tracked
Political Science and Government at Western Carolina University
Ranked 276th of 322 bachelor's programs in Political Science and Government by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$29,759
middle 50%: $22,071 – $40,545
Median · 5 years out
$50,820
middle 50%: $38,443 – $69,927
Median · 10 years out
$60,793
middle 50%: $48,171 – $84,259
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
Western Carolina University's Political Science and Government degree program sees median first-year earnings of $30k. By year ten, median salaries reach $61k.
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
8.7 yrs
≈ $10,611 total interest
Same major at other universities
Indiana State University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Nicholls State University
$51,137 · 5 yrs out
Coastal Carolina University
$50,982 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$50,975 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$50,872 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University Southeast
$50,802 · 5 yrs out
Northwestern State University
$50,767 · 5 yrs out
Central State University
$50,767 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Monroe
$50,725 · 5 yrs out
Fort Lewis College
$50,710 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$50,164 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out