Political Scienceat University of La Verne
Graduates earn $21,881/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Political Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $789K; scenarios range from $686K to $828K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of La Verne
The earnings data for Political Science and Government at the University of La Verne might seem surprising, but it often reflects the specific career paths graduates pursue within the Southern California labor market. Rather than funneling into high-paying national political consulting or corporate lobbying, many La Verne alumni find fulfilling roles in local government, community advocacy, or non-profits within the Inland Empire and broader Los Angeles area. These positions, while vital and impactful, typically offer more stable, public-sector-aligned salaries that differ from the national average skewed by graduates entering specific, high-earning niches or immediately pursuing law school. Your success will depend on actively seeking out internships that build tangible skills like data analysis, grant writing, or policy implementation, and strategically networking with local organizations and government offices from your first year.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of La Verne's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Political Science
How University of La Verne stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of La Verne
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of La Verne, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Political Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Political Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Political Science at University of La Verne
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at University of La Verne?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Political Science at University of La Verne worth the student debt?
Median debt of $22,000 against $21,881/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Political Science careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $685,770 in decade earnings vs $828,052 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Political Science from University of La Verne?
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.