Political Science and Government at Swarthmore College

Swarthmore's political science program demonstrates strong earning power that justifies its investment, even though we're working with estimated debt figures. First-year earnings of $40,449 place graduates in the 76th percentile nationally for this major—well above the national median of $35,627. More striking is the trajectory: earnings nearly double to $80,009 by year four, suggesting graduates are securing positions with real advancement potential or moving into graduate programs that significantly boost their earning power.

The estimated $26,000 debt load, derived from comparable Pennsylvania programs at similar institutions, produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64—manageable territory for a liberal arts degree. This matters because political science graduates often pursue law school, graduate degrees, or public sector careers where initial earnings don't tell the full story. The 98% earnings growth between years one and four indicates this pattern is playing out favorably for Swarthmore graduates.

What's less clear is whether Swarthmore's outcomes justify its 7% admission rate and elite positioning compared to Pennsylvania peers. Penn's political science graduates earn 62% more in their first year, while Bucknell and Lafayette also show significantly higher starting salaries. For families without significant financial need (only 20% receive Pell grants), the question becomes whether Swarthmore's unique educational environment and network are worth potentially higher total costs, given that peer liberal arts colleges are producing stronger initial earnings outcomes in this field.