Compare 165 Political Economy. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $52,451.
The highest-earning Political Economy program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $30K earnings gap across 165 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Yale's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $98,467, followed by Harvard at $89,043 and Penn at $86,353. The average across all programs is $52,451, showing how the top tier significantly outperforms the field while reinforcing that program excellence varies independently of overall school rankings.
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, proving top programs can deliver both strong outcomes and affordability.
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 →
