Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $31,033/yr fall 15% below the $36,684 national median for Political Science and Government. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The financial case is thin at 3.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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 15% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,033 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #441 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, Loyola Marymount University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $73,765 show a 138% jump from the $31,033 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.