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Political Science and Government at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,404/yr (7% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #61 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	$686K	$664K	$592K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.5x	11.1x	9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.6x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	58	57	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$59,860

Out-of-state: $182,968 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,300

8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,033

4.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$73,638

87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,404 per year, Political Science and Government graduates from University of California-Santa Barbara earn slightly above the $36,684 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 11.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% 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.

The median debt load of $15,033 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

University of California-Santa Barbara ranks #61 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $39,404-to-$73,638 earnings arc over five years reflects a 87% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Santa Barbara

A 28% acceptance rate puts University of California-Santa Barbara in competitive admissions territory, one of the larger campuses at 23,205 students in Santa Barbara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara →

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 University of California-Santa Barbara

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of California-Santa Barbara?

At 57/100, University of California-Santa Barbara'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 University of California-Santa Barbara?

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 University of California-Santa Barbara one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?

Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of California-Santa Barbara's #61 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 →