Political Science and Government at Allegheny College

The small sample size here demands caution, but the available data suggests Allegheny's Political Science program struggles in the critical early earning years. Starting at just under $31,000—about $7,000 below Pennsylvania's median and in the bottom quarter nationally—graduates face a difficult first year despite relatively manageable debt levels. Among Pennsylvania's 72 political science programs, this ranks near the bottom quartile, trailing not just elite schools like Penn and Lehigh but also peer institutions like Lafayette and Bucknell by $17,000-$23,000 in first-year earnings.

The dramatic 86% earnings jump to $57,000 by year four offers some redemption, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in law, government, or nonprofit sectors. The $27,000 debt load is actually below both state and national medians, making this one of the more affordable options for the degree. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 means the first year will be tight but manageable.

For parents: this program appears to be a slow burn rather than a disaster. If your child has graduate school ambitions or can weather a lean first year or two after graduation, the trajectory improves substantially. But with fewer than 30 graduates in this data set, these numbers might not reflect typical outcomes. If immediate earning power matters—especially compared to what other Pennsylvania schools deliver—there are stronger options.