Compare 102 Political Economy. programs in the West. Average earnings: $50,269.
Political Economy programs produce graduates earning between $58,872 and $75,464—a $16K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 102 ranked programs in the West, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Stanford University's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $75,464, but the story extends beyond prestige. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo follows closely at $71,231, while Utah Valley University reaches $69,589—proving that program-level factors drive the $50,269 regional average more than school brand.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Stanford graduates borrow $12,000 and face just a 3.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Brigham Young University leads with a 6.8% family burden, demonstrating that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $75,464 | 57 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Manageable |
| #2 | $71,231 | 70 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | $69,589 | 52 | $14,750 | Excellent | $9,582 | Excellent |
| #4 | $68,762 | 24 | $23,691 | Excellent | $58,000 | High | |
| #5 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $68,168 | 43 | $23,510 | Excellent | $41,309 | Challenging |
| #6 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $67,496 | 133 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #7 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $64,626 | 48 | $22,940 | Excellent | $56,559 | High |
| #8 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $64,616 | 80 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | High |
| #9 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $64,529 | 73 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Challenging |
| #10 | Whitworth UniversityPrivate | $62,993 | 16 | $25,000 | Good | $35,875 | Challenging |
| #11 | $62,470 | 297 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $62,430 | 482 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $60,856 | 129 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $60,648 | 109 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $60,121 | 219 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | High | |
| #16 | $59,908 | 56 | $16,544 | Excellent | $15,738 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $59,559 | 93 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Challenging |
| #18 | $58,937 | 704 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $58,929 | 50 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,716 | Manageable | |
| #20 | University Of La VernePrivate | $58,872 | 12 | $23,500 | Good | $27,977 | Challenging |
| #21 | $58,794 | 164 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #22 | Willamette UniversityPrivate | $58,791 | 25 | $21,500 | Good | $36,571 | Challenging |
| #23 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $58,078 | 57 | $24,454 | Good | $37,652 | High |
| #24 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $57,686 | 77 | $19,500 | Excellent | $58,361 | High |
| #25 | University Of DenverPrivate | $57,491 | 38 | $21,844 | Good | $27,813 | Challenging |
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 →
