Political Science and Government at Lehigh University

Lehigh's Political Science program launches graduates into earnings territory that most peers can't touch—$53,632 in year one puts them above 95% of political science programs nationally and in the top fifth among Pennsylvania schools. That first-year figure trails only UPenn among state programs and sits roughly on par with Bucknell, despite political science typically being among the lowest-earning liberal arts majors (the national median is just $35,627). By year four, earnings jump to nearly $76,000, a 42% increase that suggests graduates are finding professional roles rather than getting stuck in entry-level positions.

The $21,150 median debt sits below both state and national averages for this major, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39—meaning graduates can reasonably expect to pay this off within a year or two of focused repayment. This is a notably better financial position than most political science graduates face, where debt often equals or exceeds first-year earnings.

The significant caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary considerably. Still, for a family weighing a competitive liberal arts school for a politically-minded student, Lehigh appears to deliver the network and opportunities that translate political science credentials into actual career traction—a combination that eludes most programs in this field.