Program Analysis
At $48,112 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from Lafayette College significantly outpace the $36,684 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.
The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $13,640 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #162 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Lafayette College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $81,966 show a 70% jump from the $48,112 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.