Political Science and Government at Saint Francis University

Pennsylvania's political science programs show a dramatic earnings divide, with elite schools posting first-year salaries above $50,000 while typical programs—like what Saint Francis appears to mirror based on similar programs statewide—cluster around $37,500. That estimated figure for Saint Francis graduates sits right at the state median, suggesting a middle-of-the-pack outcome rather than the premium results from Pennsylvania's top-tier institutions just a few hours away.

The estimated debt load of $26,000 creates a manageable but not trivial burden at roughly 69% of first-year earnings. Comparable programs across Pennsylvania suggest graduates can expect to dedicate a meaningful portion of early paychecks to loan payments, though the ratio stays below the threshold where debt becomes crushing. What's missing here is any evidence that Saint Francis's particular approach—its location, faculty, or alumni network—produces better outcomes than the state average, and with actual data suppressed due to small cohort sizes, there's no way to verify whether this program outperforms or underperforms its peers.

For families weighing this investment, the core question is whether a political science degree from a small Pennsylvania school justifies the cost when peer programs produce modest starting salaries. If your child is passionate about the field and Saint Francis offers specific opportunities that larger programs don't, the estimated debt burden is serviceable. But without concrete evidence of above-average placement or earnings, you're essentially betting on the state median outcome—acceptable, but not exceptional.