Political Science and Government at Concordia University-Irvine

California's political science programs show a wide earnings spread, and Concordia-Irvine's estimated outcomes sit at the lower end. Based on comparable programs statewide, first-year earnings around $35,300 barely exceed the national median but trail significantly behind what graduates from Stanford, UC Berkeley, and even some mid-tier private schools achieve. The estimated $23,300 in debt is moderate—closer to the national median than California's lower state median of $17,500—creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 that's manageable but not particularly favorable for a field that typically requires graduate education for career advancement.

The real concern is what these estimates signal about career trajectories. Political science graduates often move into public service, nonprofit work, or pursue law school, paths where early earnings matter less than long-term prospects. However, starting near $35,000 in an expensive California market limits flexibility to take low-paying internships or unpaid graduate assistantships that often lead to better opportunities. Peer programs in California suggest wide variance in outcomes, and without this school's actual graduate data, it's unclear whether Concordia's alumni network and regional connections help students access better opportunities.

For families, this means understanding that a political science degree here likely requires additional investment—either in location (moving to lower-cost areas) or further education (law or graduate school)—to justify the initial cost. The modest debt helps, but the estimated earnings make this a degree where career planning and internships during college become essential, not optional.