Political Science and Government at Bryn Mawr College

A $26,000 debt load for a bachelor's in political science—roughly the Pennsylvania state median for similar programs—positions graduates for manageable repayment in their first working years. Based on comparable Pennsylvania programs, first-year earnings cluster around $37,500, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. By year four, this program's graduates earn $43,398, modestly above the national median but trailing considerably behind Penn ($65,473) and other elite Pennsylvania institutions with reported outcomes. For context, Bryn Mawr's selective profile (31% admission rate, 1404 SAT average) suggests it competes with these top-tier schools, yet the earnings trajectory remains closer to the state average than to its peer institutions.

The relatively modest debt burden matters more than the earnings plateau here. Political science graduates often pursue law school, graduate programs, or public sector work that depresses early earnings but offers long-term career options. The manageable debt preserves these pathways—students aren't forced into immediate high-earning positions to service loans. However, families should recognize that this program's outcomes, based on state peer data, don't reflect the premium often associated with Bryn Mawr's selectivity and academic reputation.

For families weighing this investment: the debt won't constrain post-graduation choices, but don't expect the earnings boost that Pennsylvania's most elite programs deliver. If your student values Bryn Mawr's environment and plans graduate school or public service, the numbers work. If maximizing immediate earnings matters most, the peer program data suggests looking elsewhere.