Political Science and Government at William Jessup University

In California, political science bachelor's programs produce wildly different outcomes—from Stanford's nearly $60,000 first-year salaries down to the state median of $35,297. Based on comparable programs across California, William Jessup's political science graduates likely earn near that state median, suggesting this private Christian university delivers similar earnings outcomes to typical public universities but at a different price point.

The estimated debt of $23,313 sits above California's median for political science programs ($17,500) but remains manageable relative to earnings, with graduates needing about eight months of gross income to cover their loans. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 aligns with what federal officials consider reasonable. However, political science is rarely a direct career pathway—most graduates use it as a foundation for law school, graduate programs, or pivot into adjacent fields where the degree serves more as credential than specialized training.

For families weighing this investment, the core question is opportunity cost. Similar earnings outcomes can be achieved at California State University campuses or community college transfers to UCs with substantially less debt. William Jessup's value proposition rests on factors the earnings data can't capture: smaller classes, faith integration, or campus environment. If those elements matter significantly to your family, the modest debt burden won't derail your child's future. If you're purely optimizing for return on investment in political science, less expensive pathways exist to reach the same earning potential.