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Political Science and Government at California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,799/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 20.9x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #104 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $579K $569K $520K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 20.9x 19.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.6x 7.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,268
Out-of-state: $74,788 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,168
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,520
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,270
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Channel Islands's Political Science and Government program produces graduates earning $34,799/yr — within striking distance of the $36,684 national average for this field.

With a 20.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,520 in median debt clears quickly against $34,799 in annual earnings.

California State University-Channel Islands ranks #104 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $34,799-to-$58,270 earnings arc over five years reflects a 67% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Channel Islands

A 93% acceptance rate means California State University-Channel Islands is accessible to most applicants, serving 5,230 students in Camarillo, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Channel Islands →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Other Majors at California State University-Channel Islands

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,484) Computer Science ($59,374) Economics ($57,440) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($47,581) Chemistry ($46,131) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($45,552) Communication and Media Studies ($40,109) Biology, General ($38,344)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at California State University-Channel Islands?
At 55/100, California State University-Channel Islands's Political Science and Government program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at California State University-Channel Islands?
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 University-Channel Islands one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?
Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, California State University-Channel Islands's #104 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →