Political Science and Government at Mount Saint Mary's University

Based on comparable political science programs in California, Mount Saint Mary's graduates can expect starting earnings around $35,000—squarely in line with both state and national medians for this major. What makes this program stand out, however, is its debt load. At $26,500, graduates here carry about $9,000 more than the California median for political science degrees, placing this program in the 15th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 85% of programs saddle students with less).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 suggests manageable but not trivial repayment. A graduate earning $35,000 would face monthly loan payments of roughly $300 on a standard 10-year plan—about 10% of gross income. That's workable, though it will likely limit short-term financial flexibility, especially in Los Angeles where living costs are high. The school serves a majority low-income population (55% receive Pell grants), which makes the above-average debt particularly relevant for families weighing affordability.

The challenge here is that we're working with estimated earnings rather than actual outcomes from Mount Saint Mary's graduates, so there's genuine uncertainty about whether this specific program performs at, above, or below the state average. For a parent considering this investment, the key question is whether the school's mission and student support justify paying notably more in debt than nearby alternatives for similar expected earnings. If your student is admitted to UC or CSU options, those would likely deliver comparable career outcomes at lower cost.