Public Policy Analysis at Mount Saint Mary's University

A debt load under $19,000 is remarkably manageable for a bachelor's degree, especially at a school where more than half the students qualify for Pell grants. While peer programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $40,000—below the national median for public policy graduates—the four-year earnings figure of nearly $60,000 shows meaningful progression. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under six months if they dedicated their entire first-year salary to it, though the reality is obviously more complex.

The concerning detail is that initial $40,000 salary, which falls about $5,000 short of what public policy graduates typically earn nationally. California's higher cost of living makes that gap more significant. However, the jump to nearly $60,000 by year four suggests the credential opens doors over time. Similar programs at USC start graduates around $52,000, but those students likely carry substantially more debt—Mount Saint Mary's advantage is keeping borrowing low while serving a predominantly working-class student body.

For families weighing this investment, the math works if your child can manage living costs during those early career years when salary growth matters most. The low debt minimizes financial risk, but be realistic about entry-level public policy salaries in Los Angeles and whether your child has family support or roommates to stretch that first paycheck.