Compare 11 National Security Policy Studies. programs in California. Average earnings: $58,154.
National Security Policy Studies programs produce graduates earning between $34,575 and $96,952—a $62K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 11 ranked programs in California, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Stanford's National Security Policy Studies program leads with graduates earning $96,952, well above the state average of $58,154. But USC follows at $73,645 with a larger cohort of 194 students, while Occidental College rounds out the top three at $69,388—proving that program outcomes don't simply mirror school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Stanford graduates borrow $12,000 and face just a 2.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even USC's higher-earning graduates manage a 4.8% student burden, while family debt considerations shift the calculus significantly across programs.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $96,952 | 42 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Good |
| #2 | $73,645 | 194 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Occidental CollegePrivate | $69,388 | 39 | $23,000 | Excellent | $51,450 | Challenging |
| #4 | $58,151 | 169 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #5 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $56,779 | 39 | $22,940 | Good | $56,559 | High |
| #6 | $53,050 | 77 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #7 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $52,401 | 57 | $23,000 | Good | $44,413 | High |
| #8 | $49,220 | 80 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $48,654 | 33 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $46,876 | 79 | $17,500 | Good | $18,275 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $34,575 | 34 | $19,500 | Challenging | $58,361 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
