Political Science and Government at California State University-Stanislaus

CSU Stanislaus graduates 55% Pell-eligible students with manageable debt—just $15,484 at graduation, well below both state and national medians. That's the good news. The challenge is first-year earnings of $29,533, which place this program in the bottom quarter of California political science programs. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data, and individual outcomes may vary widely.

The earnings trajectory tells a more encouraging story. By year four, median earnings jump to $49,264—a 67% increase that narrows the gap with higher-ranked programs. This suggests graduates who stick with career development see meaningful income growth, though they start from a lower base than peers at UC Berkeley ($45,418) or Stanford ($59,297). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe about half their first-year salary, a reasonable burden that becomes easier to manage as income rises.

For families prioritizing affordability and access, this program delivers low debt with room for earnings growth. Just recognize that early career earnings lag state averages, and the limited data means these figures might not represent the full picture. If your student plans to pursue graduate school or public service—common paths for political science majors—starting with minimal debt creates valuable flexibility.