Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Best political science and government colleges in California
bachelor graduates in California earn a weighted average salary of $54,575 3 years after graduation. This places California graduate earnings in the top 50% nationally. Additionally, graduates earn 4% less than the total graduating bachelor class in the state.
Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.
Our rankings cover 46 of the 55 programs available in California, accounting for 97% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or cost data.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,851
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$75,464
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate97%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#2 in California|#8 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,058
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$56,203
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#3 in California|#30 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$18,766
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$71,231
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate86%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#4 in California|#32 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,159
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$59,908
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#5 in California|#36 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,721
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$60,648
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate82%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#6 in California|#39 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,912
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$60,856
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate68%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#7 in California|#41 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,482
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$62,470
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate86%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#8 in California|#53 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,371
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$62,430
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#9 in California|#56 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,752
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,264
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#10 in California|#61 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,637
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,937
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate93%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#11 in California|#70 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,426
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$55,323
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate87%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#12 in California|#72 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,485
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,663
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate81%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#13 in California|#81 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,774
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$54,541
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#14 in California|#88 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$29,757
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$68,762
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate79%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#15 in California|#92 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,911
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$53,959
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#16 in California|#105 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,069
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$55,931
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate90%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#17 in California|#128 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,215
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,444
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate73%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#18 in California|#130 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$29,725
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$64,626
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate81%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#19 in California|#134 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,674
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$54,795
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate89%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#20 in California|#143 in Political Science nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,385
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$45,693
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate71%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in political science and government in California?
Years
5.3 years
The cost of the average bachelor's degree in political science and government in California is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 5.3 years.
How much do graduates with a bachelor's degree in political science and government earn in California?
Salary
$54,575
The median bachelor's degree in political science and government graduate earns $54,575 4 years after graduating.
How much does a bachelor's degree in political science and government cost in California?
Net cost
$16,630
The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in political science and government is $16,630. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.
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