Best Political Science and Government Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 28 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,205 recent graduates. Graduates earn $35,384 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,462.

School choice matters significantly: Bucknell University graduates earn $52,941 while Kutztown University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $25,194 — a $27,747 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in PA

$35,384

PA Avg. Earnings

$34,462

National Avg.

532

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in Pennsylvania

Public Schools (10)

$29,978

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (18)

$38,387

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $8,409 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Political Science and Government Schools in Pennsylvania, Ranked by Earnings

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$52,941

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $49,507

Graduates: 50

Acceptance: 32.0%

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$50,677

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $49,929

Graduates: 78

Acceptance: 5.9%

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$47,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,029

Graduates: 87

Acceptance: 25.1%

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private

$46,790

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 29.3%

Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private

$44,468

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,408

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 31.5%

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private

$41,441

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,598

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 31.8%

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA · Private

$40,737

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,322

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 43.1%

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg, PA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,595

Graduates: 75

Acceptance: 47.5%

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,119

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 6.9%

#10

Allegheny College

Meadville, PA · Private

$37,363

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,943

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 58.5%

#11

Widener University

Chester, PA · Private

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, PA · Public

$37,028

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,428

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 79.2%

#13

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, PA · Public

$35,701

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,775

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 89.4%

#14

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, PA · Public

$35,416

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,092

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 74.6%

#15

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public

$34,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,575

Graduates: 131

Acceptance: 82.9%

#16

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, PA · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,195

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 76.8%

#17

La Salle University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,838

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 86.4%

#19

Misericordia University

Dallas, PA · Private

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, PA · Public

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,134

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 85.5%

#21

Arcadia University

Glenside, PA · Private

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$27,439

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,049

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 78.8%

#23

Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA · Private

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,325

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 64.0%

#24

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public

$25,658

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,254

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 91.2%

#25

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg, PA · Public

$25,484

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,341

Graduates: 114

Acceptance: 97.9%

#26

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

$25,484

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,341

Graduates: 114

Acceptance: 95.9%

#27

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$25,484

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,341

Graduates: 114

Acceptance: 49.7%

#28

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, PA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,071

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 94.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Political Science and Government in Pennsylvania?

Bucknell University ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in Pennsylvania with median graduate earnings of $52,941 within two years of graduation. There are 28 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.

How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn in Pennsylvania?

Political Science and Government graduates in Pennsylvania earn an average of $35,384 within two years of graduation. This is 3% above the national average of $34,462 for this major.

What is the hardest Political Science and Government school to get into in Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania is the most selective Political Science and Government program in Pennsylvania with an acceptance rate of 5.9%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 64.0%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Political Science and Government in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $38,387 vs $29,978 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 18 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Pennsylvania

Computer Science $80,288 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other $75,470 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $75,030 Industrial Engineering $72,729 Business/Managerial Economics $71,719 Materials Engineering $71,420 Chemical Engineering $71,371 Computer Engineering $71,016

All colleges in Pennsylvania →

Political Science and Government in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.