Political Science and Government graduates from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earn $41,188 median salary — below the national average for this program. Median debt: $24,786.
Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin • Certificate
What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Political Science and Government at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
This page combines two federal data products: IPEDS institutional characteristics for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the College Scorecard field-of-study (FOS) file for Political Science and Government at the certificate credential level. The FOS file is keyed by CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code, which means earnings and debt figures here reflect only graduates of this specific program — not the school as a whole. IPEDS reports 22 completers in the most recent cohort for this program at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the denominator behind the median earnings figure.
Median graduate earnings of $41,188 represent Treasury-verified wages approximately one year after program completion, drawn from Social Security Administration records linked to federal financial aid applicants. Compared to the national mean of $73,542 across all institutions offering Political Science and Government, graduates here earn below the national average for this program. Across all programs at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the mean median-earnings figure is $59,433, providing internal context for whether this specific field out-earns other options at the same institution.
Debt signals complete the ROI picture. The median cumulative federal loan debt for Political Science and Government graduates at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is $24,786, which translates to roughly $207 per month on a standard 10-year repayment plan. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 is under the 1.0 threshold the College Scorecard uses to flag favorable gainful-employment outcomes — earnings in year one already exceed cumulative borrowing. Program-level debt and earnings come from the Department of Education’s College Scorecard FOS release, updated annually.
Earnings Comparison
Program Details
Debt & ROI
Political Science and Government at Other Schools
| School | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson College | $101,438 | $19,500 |
| American University | $81,004 | $23,250 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | $70,537 | $16,264 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (this school) | $41,188 | $24,786 |
Other Programs at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
| Program | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $104,601 | $31,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $102,812 | $28,446 |
| International Business | $89,687 | — |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $81,385 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,250 | $17,156 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,799 | $23,664 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $78,762 | $21,500 |
| Economics | $77,395 | $17,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,415 | $22,125 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,928 | $22,500 |
View all 52 programs at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater →
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About the Data
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Field of Study file. Earnings are median earnings for graduates after completion, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records linked to federal financial aid applicants. Institutional characteristics come from IPEDS. Debt figures represent the median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation.
Debt-to-earnings ratio compares cumulative debt to annual earnings. A ratio below 1.0 indicates that annual earnings exceed total debt, generally considered favorable. Estimated monthly payments assume a standard 10-year repayment plan.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.