Political Science and Government at University of La Verne

The dramatic swing in earnings—from just $21,881 after one year to nearly $59,000 by year four—tells an unusual story, but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes this pattern unreliable for predictions. That first-year figure ranks in the bottom 10th percentile among California political science programs, yet the fourth-year number would place graduates well above the state median of $35,297. This volatility suggests either a handful of graduates landed lucrative positions after initial struggles, or the data simply reflects too few people to draw meaningful conclusions.

The debt load of $22,000 sits below the national median and roughly tracks the state average, making it manageable even with that concerningly low first-year income. The question is whether your student will be among those who see earnings eventually rise, or among those stuck closer to that $21,000 mark. Compare this to UC Berkeley political science graduates earning $45,418 or Stanford's $59,297—those programs show stronger, more consistent outcomes from the start.

For an anxious parent, here's the reality: this data shouldn't drive your decision. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, you're essentially looking at individual career paths rather than a reliable pattern. Focus instead on whether La Verne offers strong internship networks, alumni connections in government or nonprofit sectors, and career support that can help avoid that low first-year earning trap that appears in this limited data.