Compare 585 Political Economy. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $49,752. Top programs: $98,467+.
With top graduates earning $98,467, Political Economy stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $49K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Yale's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $98,467, followed by Harvard at $89,043 and Penn at $86,353. Against an average of $49,752 across all programs, these outcomes demonstrate how program-level factors drive success more than overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Yale graduates borrow $12,975 and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes truly accessible.
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
