Political Science and Government at Drexel University

The four-year earnings jump here tells an interesting story. While similar political science programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $37,500—roughly on par with the state median—this program shows graduates earning $56,114 by year four. That 50% increase suggests meaningful career progression, though parents should recognize we're working with estimated first-year figures based on peer programs across Pennsylvania, not tracked outcomes for Drexel's specific cohort.

The estimated debt load of $26,000 creates a manageable starting point, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 based on those comparable program figures. That's better than many liberal arts degrees, particularly when you factor in that mid-career bump to $56,000. Still, there's a significant gap between this trajectory and what top Pennsylvania programs deliver—Penn's political science grads start at $65,000, and even regional competitors like Bucknell begin in the low $50,000 range.

For families choosing Drexel, the co-op program matters enormously here. Political science isn't a credential that screams immediate employability, so those paid work rotations could be what drives the stronger four-year number. If your student plans to leverage Drexel's Philadelphia connections and professional experience requirements, the economics look reasonable. Without that intentional career-building, you're banking on a field where entry-level outcomes vary wildly depending on how graduates apply the degree.