Political Science and Government at California State University-Los Angeles

Cal State LA's political science program graduates start significantly behind their peers—earning about $30,000 in the first year puts them in just the 25th percentile among California programs and 19th percentile nationally. That's roughly $5,000 below what typical California political science graduates earn. However, the program's real strength emerges over time: earnings jump 53% by year four to nearly $46,000, approaching the state median and suggesting graduates are finding their footing in careers or graduate programs.

The debt picture provides meaningful relief. At just $10,614, graduates owe less than half the state median and avoid the $23,500 burden typical nationally. This makes the lower starting salary more manageable—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means most graduates could reasonably pay this off within a year or two of focused payments. Given that two-thirds of students receive Pell grants, keeping debt this low is particularly important for first-generation and lower-income families.

The tradeoff is clear: your child will likely earn less than peers at UC Berkeley or Santa Clara initially, but they'll graduate with minimal debt and see solid wage growth. For families prioritizing affordability while pursuing political science—perhaps as preparation for law school or public service—this works. If immediate earning power matters most, look elsewhere in the UC system.