Political Science and Government at Haverford College

A highly selective liberal arts college like Haverford—admitting just 13% of applicants—typically delivers stronger outcomes than the state median suggests here. Political science graduates from comparable Pennsylvania programs earn an estimated $37,534 in their first year, which sits right at the state median but notably lags behind peer institutions like Bucknell ($53,012) and Lafayette ($48,112). While Haverford's prestige and network often translate to graduate school placement or competitive early-career positions, the suppressed earnings data here means we're working with estimates that may not capture this program's actual value.

The estimated $26,000 debt load yields a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio, particularly for a school where only 14% of students receive Pell grants—suggesting many families can afford to minimize borrowing. That said, if your student is taking on significant debt and planning to enter public service, nonprofit work, or pursue graduate degrees immediately, peer programs showing reported earnings in the $45,000-$65,000 range offer more financial breathing room. The lack of published data here—common at small programs—makes this a leap of faith based on institutional reputation rather than concrete outcomes for this specific major. If direct employment after graduation is the priority, push the school for alumni outcomes data before committing.