Political Science and Government at Notre Dame de Namur University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 suggests manageable borrowing, but the context here matters considerably. Based on California's median for political science programs, first-year earnings around $35,300 place this roughly at the state average—yet the estimated debt of $23,313 exceeds what's typical for California political science degrees by about $6,000. That gap isn't enormous, but it means graduates may spend an extra year or two working through their loans compared to peers at other state programs.

The broader challenge is inherent to the field itself: political science bachelor's degrees nationally produce modest early earnings, with the national median virtually identical to California's. While top programs like Stanford and UC Berkeley show what's possible with strong networks and placement, most political science graduates face a career path where graduate school, government work, or nonprofit positions are common next steps—none of which typically accelerate debt payoff in those crucial first few years.

For families considering this investment, the key question is whether your child has a clear plan for what comes after graduation. Political science can be valuable preparation for law school, public service, or policy work, but it rarely delivers immediate financial returns. If the estimated figures hold, the debt burden is workable but requires patience and strategic career planning from day one.