WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-4% vs national median655 grads tracked

Political Science and Government at Oregon State University

Ranked 121st of 322 bachelor's programs in Political Science and Government by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,314
middle 50%: $27,680 – $52,026
Median · 5 years out
$59,944
middle 50%: $42,539 – $80,459
Median · 10 years out
$82,614
middle 50%: $62,459 – $114,810

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 Oregon State University's bachelor's program in Political Science and Government earn a median $38,314 one year after graduating, rising to $82,614 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% below the national median of $62,236 for this field, ranking 121st 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
7.1 yrs
≈ $8,427 total interest

Same major at other universities

Liberty University
$60,495 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$60,491 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$60,479 · 5 yrs out
Truman State University
$60,425 · 5 yrs out
Western Connecticut State University
$60,013 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Oneonta
$60,013 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$59,942 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$59,821 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$59,758 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$59,735 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Oregon State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,356 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$171,456 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$162,096 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$162,096 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$139,445 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,207 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$123,582 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$116,256 · 5 yrs out
Biological and Physical Sciences (Bachelor's)
$116,180 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,634 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$109,381 · 5 yrs out

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