Political Science and Government at La Salle University

The $27,000 in debt here sits well below both the state median ($26,000) and national median ($23,500) for political science degrees, which matters when first-year earnings estimates hover around $37,500. Based on comparable programs across Pennsylvania, new graduates in this field typically earn enough to manage their debt obligations without severe strain—the 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests reasonable repayment pressure, though those first-year figures are extrapolated from peer institutions rather than La Salle's actual outcomes.

What's harder to gauge is trajectory. The reported four-year earnings of $45,692 show modest growth but remain substantially below Pennsylvania's top performers—Penn grads earn $65,473, and even regional competitors like Villanova hit $46,549. For a program serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students (33% of campus), that gap raises questions about whether La Salle's political science degree opens the same doors as nearby alternatives, particularly given Philadelphia's competitive job market.

The controlled debt load gives this program a foundation of affordability that many political science degrees lack nationally. But with earnings estimates derived from statewide averages rather than this school's specific placement record, parents should press La Salle directly about where recent graduates actually land—what jobs, what salaries, what sectors. The debt won't crush your child, but understanding whether this particular program delivers Pennsylvania-typical outcomes or something different is essential before committing.