Political Science and Government at Whittier College
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Whittier College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Whittier College graduates earn $30k, placing them in the 18th percentile of all political science and government bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (72 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whittier College | $29,616 | $51,422 | — | — |
| Stanford University | $59,297 | $75,464 | $12,000 | 0.20 |
| Santa Clara University | $57,111 | $64,616 | $21,750 | 0.38 |
| Ashford University | $55,196 | $38,857 | $32,813 | 0.59 |
| University of California-Berkeley | $45,418 | $62,430 | $13,000 | 0.29 |
| Saint Mary's College of California | $45,296 | $68,762 | $25,967 | 0.57 |
| National Median | $35,627 | — | $23,500 | 0.66 |
Other Political Science and Government Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University Stanford | $62,484 | $59,297 | $12,000 |
| Santa Clara University Santa Clara | $59,241 | $57,111 | $21,750 |
| Ashford University San Diego | $13,160 | $55,196 | $32,813 |
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $45,418 | $13,000 |
| Saint Mary's College of California Moraga | $56,134 | $45,296 | $25,967 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Whittier College, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.