Political Science and Government at California State University-Fresno

Among California's 72 political science programs, Fresno State ranks near the bottom (10th percentile) for early earnings, with graduates earning just $21,674 in their first year—barely half the state median of $35,297. The debt burden of $14,528 is relatively modest and below both state and national averages, but it still represents eight months of that first-year salary. This creates a challenging immediate post-graduation period, though the school serves a predominantly low-income student body (56% Pell recipients) who might otherwise struggle to access any bachelor's degree.

The silver lining here is impressive wage growth: earnings more than double to $45,512 by year four, ultimately surpassing both California and national medians for political science graduates. This pattern suggests many graduates start in entry-level or part-time positions but successfully transition into better opportunities within a few years. However, starting so far behind their peers—$14,000 below the California average in year one—means these graduates spend their early twenties catching up rather than building savings or paying down debt aggressively.

For families focused strictly on return on investment, this program underperforms stronger California options like UC Berkeley (where grads earn $45,418 immediately) or even mid-tier state schools. But if Fresno State's accessibility and eventual income trajectory align with your family's circumstances, the lower debt load helps offset those difficult first years. Just understand your child will likely need financial support or supplementary income early on.