Political Science and Government at California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,533/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 19.0x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #199 of 521 Political Science and Government programs Top 50%

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 $609K $595K $540K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.4x 19.0x 17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.6x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,304
Out-of-state: $78,824 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$22,684
28% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,968
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,906
99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,533 place California State University-Stanislaus below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Political Science and Government programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $14,968 represents roughly 6 months of the $29,533 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #199 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, California State University-Stanislaus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $58,906 show a 99% jump from the $29,533 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Stanislaus

California State University-Stanislaus accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 8,564 students in Turlock, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 55% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Stanislaus

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at California State University-Stanislaus?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $539,846 in decade earnings vs $608,661 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science and Government from California State University-Stanislaus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →