Political Science and Government at University of Pennsylvania

Among Pennsylvania's 72 political science programs, Penn's graduates earn $65,473 in their first year—roughly $12,000 more than the next-highest program (Lehigh) and nearly double the state median of $37,534. Nationally, these outcomes place Penn in the 95th percentile, with first-year earnings exceeding the national median by over $30,000. This isn't just an Ivy League premium; it's a reflection of Penn's exceptional recruiting pipeline, particularly into consulting, finance, and competitive government fellowships that don't require graduate degrees.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $14,722, graduates carry roughly half the typical debt load for Pennsylvania political science majors ($26,000) and less than two-thirds of the national median ($23,500). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, most graduates could feasibly pay off their loans within a year of working. Four-year earnings climb to $86,353—a 32% increase that suggests graduates are advancing rather than plateauing early.

For families who can manage Penn's 6% admission rate and upfront costs, this program delivers unusually strong financial returns for a liberal arts degree. The combination of elite institutional resources, low borrowing, and exceptional early-career placement makes this one of the country's best-performing political science programs by the numbers.