Analysis
Pennsylvania's political science programs show dramatic variation, with top institutions producing first-year earnings nearly double the state median. Albright's political science program appears to track right at Pennsylvania's middle ground—similar programs across the state suggest earnings around $37,500 and debt near $26,000. While these aren't Albright's actual graduate outcomes, they offer a reasonable baseline for comparison given the school's 86% admission rate and student profile.
That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 falls within manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly two-thirds of their first-year salary. Nationally, political science bachelor's degrees produce median earnings of $35,600, so the Pennsylvania estimate sits slightly above average. However, the gap between Albright's likely outcomes and Pennsylvania's elite programs—where graduates earn $48,000 to $65,000—reveals how much institutional prestige matters in this field. Political science careers often depend heavily on internships, networks, and graduate school opportunities that vary significantly across institutions.
The challenge here is uncertainty: without actual data on Albright's political science graduates, you're making decisions based on statewide patterns rather than school-specific results. If your student plans to pursue law school, public policy graduate programs, or competitive government positions, investigate what percentage of Albright political science graduates successfully move into those pathways. The mid-range debt load provides some flexibility, but in a field where credentials and connections drive outcomes, understanding Albright's specific placement record matters more than these estimated numbers.
Where Albright College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (72 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $28,794 | $37,534* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $66,104 | $65,473* | $86,353 | $14,722* | 0.22 | |
| $62,180 | $53,632* | $75,918 | $21,150* | 0.39 | |
| $64,772 | $53,012* | $69,853 | $26,000* | 0.49 | |
| $62,574 | $48,112* | $71,924 | $13,640* | 0.28 | |
| $64,701 | $46,549* | $72,272 | $25,620* | 0.55 | |
| National Median | — | $35,627* | — | $23,500* | 0.66 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates
Political Scientists
Economists
Environmental Economists
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Albright College, approximately 50% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 28 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.