Political Science and Government at Swarthmore College
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Swarthmore College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Swarthmore College graduates earn $40k, placing them in the 76th percentile of all political science and government bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (72 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swarthmore College | $40,449 | $80,009 | — | — |
| University of Pennsylvania | $65,473 | $86,353 | $14,722 | 0.22 |
| Lehigh University | $53,632 | $75,918 | $21,150 | 0.39 |
| Bucknell University | $53,012 | $69,853 | $26,000 | 0.49 |
| Lafayette College | $48,112 | $71,924 | $13,640 | 0.28 |
| Villanova University | $46,549 | $72,272 | $25,620 | 0.55 |
| National Median | $35,627 | — | $23,500 | 0.66 |
Other Political Science and Government Programs in Pennsylvania
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Pennsylvania schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia | $66,104 | $65,473 | $14,722 |
| Lehigh University Bethlehem | $62,180 | $53,632 | $21,150 |
| Bucknell University Lewisburg | $64,772 | $53,012 | $26,000 |
| Lafayette College Easton | $62,574 | $48,112 | $13,640 |
| Villanova University Villanova | $64,701 | $46,549 | $25,620 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Swarthmore College, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 13 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.