Political Science at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,119/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
19.2x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $583K | $572K | $523K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 19.6x | 19.2x | 17.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.5x | 7.4x | 6.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 47 | 47 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (7.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,117
96% growth from Year 1
About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a 74% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 24,271 students in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona a good choice for Political Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →