U.S. median for this major: $61,935.
College Scorecard field of study; 98 graduates with earnings reported
Median for graduates who received federal aid.
College Scorecard field of study
About 41% of median earnings 4 years out. U.S. median $23,457.
College Scorecard field of study (federal loans)
Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $18,907. College Scorecard.
West Virginia University Institute of Technology Political Science: pay against the field, and payback
Same major, other colleges
Median earnings 4 years after graduating; state and U.S. figures are the median of each covered college's graduates in this major. College Scorecard; calculated by EducationGuide.
Political Science nationally: jobs, pay at ages 25-34, every state →
Cost to finish and years to pay back, by income
Uses West Virginia University Institute of Technology's school-wide net price (no college reports it by major) and this major's graduate earnings.
| Family income | Net price / yr | Cost to finish | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0–30k | $6,998 | $30,511 | 1.3 years |
| $30–48k | $6,752 | $29,439 | 1.2 years |
| $48–75k | $9,137 | $39,837 | 1.6 years |
| $75–110k | $11,861 | $51,714 | 2.1 years |
| $110k+ | $14,797 | $64,515 | 2.7 years |
Cost to finish = yearly price × 4.4 years, the average time graduates took (25% finished in 4 years; students who entered fall 2017, IPEDS). Years to pay back = cost to finish ÷ the earnings gain: median earnings of Political Science graduates 4 years after graduating ($56,969) minus $32,695 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in WV (Census ACS 2020-2024), a gain of $24,274 a year. Before taxes, loan interest and earnings given up while in school. Method
College Scorecard; IPEDS Graduation Rates; U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Calculated by EducationGuide.
Political Science at West Virginia colleges
Every West Virginia college we cover that reports Political Science graduate earnings, highest first. Net price is the school-wide average after grants.
| Rank | College | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt | Avg. net price | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University Institute of Technology | $56,969 | $23,250 | $9,337 | 33% |
| 2 | West Virginia University | $56,969 | $23,250 | $15,634 | 65% |
| 3 | Fairmont State University | $54,360 | $25,878 | $9,032 | 44% |
| 4 | Marshall University | $50,832 | $24,233 | $7,502 | 51% |
| 5 | University of Charleston | $43,601 | — | $22,107 | 46% |
7 more West Virginia colleges offer Political Science but have too few graduates to report earnings.
Careers for Political Science graduates
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs -0.2% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
Social Science Research Assistants
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +5.0% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35. Careers from the federal major-to-occupation crosswalk.
What families pay at West Virginia University Institute of Technology, by income
School-wide average after grants for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard
About West Virginia University Institute of Technology
- Acceptance rate: 37% · admissions
- Graduation rate: 33% within 6 years
- Median earnings, all majors, 10 years after starting: $55,939
- Full cost breakdown · all 29 majors · overview
West Virginia University Institute of Technology Political Science questions
How much do West Virginia University Institute of Technology Political Science graduates earn?
Political Science graduates of West Virginia University Institute of Technology earn a median $56,969 four years after graduating and $30,286 one year after. The U.S. median for Political Science graduates across 561 colleges is $61,935.
How much debt do West Virginia University Institute of Technology Political Science graduates have?
The median federal loan debt for Political Science graduates of West Virginia University Institute of Technology is $23,250, about 41% of their median earnings four years out. Nationally the median is $23,457.
Is West Virginia University Institute of Technology a good school for Political Science in West Virginia?
On pay, Political Science graduates of West Virginia University Institute of Technology earn $56,969 four years out, $2,609 above the median for the same major across 5 West Virginia colleges ($54,360) and $4,966 below the U.S. median ($61,935). Medians of each college's graduates; EducationGuide calculation from College Scorecard.
Where does West Virginia University Institute of Technology rank for Political Science in West Virginia?
Of 5 West Virginia colleges reporting Political Science graduate earnings, West Virginia University Institute of Technology ranks 1st, the highest.
What jobs do Political Science graduates get?
A common career is secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, with a median wage of $54,960 in the Beckley, WV area and $72,040 nationally. Others include social science research assistants.
Is West Virginia University Institute of Technology the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing West Virginia University Institute of Technology with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study: median earnings and federal loan debt of graduates who received federal aid); BLS. How we score
Data: JSON · Markdown · all datasets
Cite this: “West Virginia University Institute of Technology Political Science: earnings, debt and careers,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/colleges/west-virginia-university-institute-of-technology/majors/political-science (College Scorecard and BLS data).