Political Science and Government at Pacific Union College

A debt burden of $23,000—the typical load for similar private schools in California—needs to generate solid employment outcomes, but similar Political Science bachelor's programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $35,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 sits in manageable territory, though it's worth noting that comparable programs at other California privates like Santa Clara and Saint Mary's see graduates earning closer to $45,000-$57,000 their first year out.

The challenge with Political Science degrees generally is that bachelor's-level positions in government and policy work often pay modestly at entry level, even as the field prepares students for graduate programs in law, public administration, or international relations. When peer programs across California show median earnings just above the national average of $36,000, you're looking at a credential that may function more as a foundation for further education than a direct path to strong earnings. The debt level here is actually higher than California's median of $17,500 for this major, reflecting Pacific Union's private school premium.

For parents, the key question is post-graduation trajectory. If law school or graduate study is the plan, this program costs align with peer institutions. But if your child intends to work immediately after graduation with just the bachelor's degree, those estimated first-year earnings make the debt payoff timeline stretch longer than ideal—roughly two-thirds of that first year's salary just to cover what was borrowed.