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Political Science and Government at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,392/yr (-6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #107 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	$734K	$706K	$623K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.3x	12.8x	11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.0x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$54,988

Out-of-state: $178,096 (4.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,052

-2% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$75,578

120% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,392/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from University of California-Los Angeles land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 12.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% 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 $15,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

University of California-Los Angeles ranks #107 among 521 Political Science and Government programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $34,392-to-$75,578 earnings arc over five years reflects a 120% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Los Angeles

With just 9% of applicants admitted, University of California-Los Angeles ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with 33,040 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

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-Los Angeles

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at University of California-Los Angeles?

At 54/100, University of California-Los Angeles'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-Los Angeles?

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-Los Angeles one of the best schools for Political Science and Government?

Among 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of California-Los Angeles's #107 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 →