Political Science and Government at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

The first-year earnings of $29,186 at Slippery Rock raise immediate concerns—that's $6,300 below the national median for political science graduates and nearly $8,400 below Pennsylvania's state median. Among Pennsylvania's 72 political science programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable in-state options produce better early outcomes. For context, Penn's graduates earn more than double this figure, but even regional competitors show significantly stronger placement.

The good news is substantial earnings growth: graduates see their income nearly double to $55,310 by year four. That's a meaningful trajectory that eventually surpasses both national and state medians. The debt load of $26,000 is reasonable—matching Pennsylvania's median and slightly above the national figure—creating a manageable first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89. However, that first year will likely be financially tight, requiring careful budgeting or family support to manage loan payments on a sub-$30,000 salary.

The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty, but the pattern is clear: this program requires patience. If your child has specific graduate school plans or career paths where the initial struggle won't derail them, the long-term growth could work out. But families should seriously consider whether other Pennsylvania public universities might offer stronger early positioning without sacrificing that eventual upward trajectory.