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Cheapest Political Science and Government Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Cheyney University stands apart with a net price of just $9,837 for political science students, creating an $11,827 gap between Pennsylvania's cheapest and most expensive programs. This public institution offers one of the nation's most affordable pathways into government service and political careers. Meanwhile, Swarthmore College graduates earn $39,369 annually, nearly double the $25,194 earned by graduates from several state universities in this field. Pennsylvania's political science programs serve students heading into the state's major government centers in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, plus federal opportunities in nearby Washington DC. The Commonwealth employs thousands of political science graduates across state agencies, county governments, and legislative offices. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 8 of the 10 cheapest programs coming from state institutions. Students can access the PA State Grant program to further reduce costs at participating schools. Career prospects extend beyond government into Pennsylvania's lobbying firms, nonprofit sector, and corporate government relations departments at companies like Comcast and major pharmaceutical employers throughout the state.
50
Programs
$9,837 – $29,577
Net Price Range
$31,746
Avg. Program Earnings
61.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
2 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
3 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
4 $15,089 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
5 $17,034 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
6 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
7 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
8 $18,952 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
9 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
10 $19,258 $47,675 59.6% 75.2%
11 $19,524 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
12 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
13 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
14 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
15 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
16 $20,822 $34,502 55.2% 92.7%
17 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
18 $21,205 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
19 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
20 $21,664 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
21 $21,900 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
22 $21,972 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
23 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
24 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
25 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
26 $22,909 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
27 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
28 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
29 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
30 $23,553 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
31 $24,051 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
32 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
33 $24,829 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
34 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
35 $25,544 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
36 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
37 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
38 $25,866 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
39 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
40 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
41 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
42 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
43 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
44 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
45 $27,700 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
46 $28,132 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
47 $28,329 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
48 $28,714 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
49 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
50 $29,577 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive price difference between Cheyney University and other Pennsylvania political science programs?

Cheyney University charges a net price of $9,837 while programs like Swarthmore reach $18,686, creating a nearly $9,000 gap. As a public institution, Cheyney benefits from state funding that keeps tuition low for Pennsylvania residents. The university also provides substantial financial aid packages that reduce the actual cost students pay. However, Cheyney's graduation rate of 16.2% reflects retention challenges that prospective students should carefully consider.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable Pennsylvania political science programs?

Graduation rates span from Cheyney's 16.2% to Saint Francis University's 72.8%, showing dramatic differences in student success. Public universities like Slippery Rock achieve 65.9% graduation rates while maintaining net prices around $19,524. East Stroudsburg University graduates 43.8% of students at a net cost of $15,089. These variations suggest that higher prices don't always guarantee better completion rates in Pennsylvania's political science programs.

Is the earnings gap between Pennsylvania political science graduates significant?

Pennsylvania political science graduates see earnings ranging from $25,194 to $39,369, creating a $14,175 difference between highest and lowest earners. Swarthmore College graduates command the top salary at $39,369, while several state university graduates start around $25,000 annually. Slippery Rock and Millersville graduates earn $35,416 and $35,701 respectively, showing that some affordable public options lead to strong earning potential. These differences often reflect career paths, with graduates entering various sectors from government to private consulting.

What debt levels do students typically face in Pennsylvania political science programs?

Student debt ranges from $23,250 at East Stroudsburg to $28,500 at Lincoln University among schools reporting this data. University of Pittsburgh campuses maintain debt levels around $23,415, while Indiana University of Pennsylvania students graduate with approximately $27,000 in loans. York College students face $26,472 in debt despite the school's private status. These debt levels remain manageable compared to many other fields, particularly given government loan forgiveness programs available to public service careers.

Does Pennsylvania offer strong career prospects for political science graduates?

Pennsylvania provides substantial opportunities through state government in Harrisburg, city governments in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and proximity to Washington DC federal positions. The Commonwealth employs political science graduates across departments like Treasury, Health, and Environmental Protection. Major employers like UPMC and Comcast maintain government relations teams that hire political science graduates. The state's lobbying industry and nonprofit sector create additional career paths beyond traditional government roles.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.