Political Science and Government at Eastern University

Based on comparable programs in Pennsylvania, Eastern's political science students likely face a fairly typical debt load of around $26,000 while earning roughly $37,500 in their first year—a debt-to-earnings ratio that falls within manageable territory. These estimates align closely with both state and national medians for political science programs, suggesting neither an exceptional investment nor a particularly risky one.

The challenge becomes clearer when you consider Pennsylvania's range. While Eastern's estimated outcomes track near the middle of the pack, the state's top programs—Penn, Lehigh, Bucknell—produce graduates earning $48,000 to $65,000 annually. That gap matters when similar debt loads apply across the board. A political science degree's value often depends heavily on what you do with it (law school, graduate programs, specific career paths), and starting at $37,500 leaves less cushion for those additional investments than starting at $50,000-plus would.

For families considering Eastern, the 94% admission rate and 36% Pell grant population suggest accessibility is part of the institution's mission. If your child is drawn to Eastern's specific community or educational approach and plans to leverage the degree strategically—through internships, strong networking, or graduate education—the estimated numbers aren't prohibitive. But if political science is a general interest without a clear career path, those top-tier Pennsylvania programs offer substantially better earnings potential that could justify the search for admission.