Political Science and Government at Biola University

Biola's political science program carries a debt load of $24,344—that's roughly $7,000 above what California students at similar programs typically borrow, though close to the national median. Based on comparable programs across California, graduates can expect first-year earnings around $35,300, which translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. The real question is whether this Christian university's distinctive approach justifies borrowing more than the state norm.

The earnings estimate reflects what 45 political science bachelor's programs in California typically produce—right in line with the national median of $35,627. That consistency across state and national benchmarks is reassuring, even though we lack Biola-specific outcomes. What's less comforting is the debt differential: California political science students generally leave with $17,500, making Biola's $24,344 figure notably higher. For context, top-performing programs in the state like Stanford ($59,297) and UC Berkeley ($45,418) produce significantly stronger earnings that might justify higher borrowing—but those outcomes aren't what peer programs suggest for Biola graduates.

The practical reality: your student would likely finish their first year earning around what they borrowed. That's workable, but the premium you're paying over state alternatives should correspond to something specific—whether that's Biola's faith integration, smaller class sizes, or campus community. If those factors don't matter much to your family, California State schools offering the same major at lower debt levels deserve serious consideration.