Political Science and Government at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Among Pennsylvania's 72 political science programs, Kutztown sits comfortably in the middle—ranking at the 60th percentile—with graduates earning $45,266 four years out. That's roughly 20% more than the national median for this major and tracks close to Pennsylvania's state median. The earnings trajectory shows solid, steady growth of 17% from year one to year four, suggesting graduates are finding their footing in government, nonprofits, or related fields. While the program can't match the elite Pennsylvania privates (Penn grads earn $65,000+), it's delivering reasonable outcomes at a fraction of the cost.

The debt picture is notably favorable: $27,000 ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of political science programs leave students with more debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70, graduates owe less than one year's salary—a manageable burden that won't derail career flexibility. This matters especially for a major that often leads to lower-paying public service roles where loan payments can feel crushing.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary more than usual. For families seeking an affordable path to a political science degree without the price tag of Pennsylvania's elite schools, Kutztown offers solid value—just understand you're choosing a different caliber of academic environment (95% admission rate) than the top-tier alternatives.