If a political science major with a 2.0 gap spends 6 years going through a big state school - recruiters will assume they spent the time drinking. It won't hurt

If a political science major with a 2.0 gap spends 6 years going through a big state school - recruiters will assume they spent the time drinking. It won't hurt in a sales or politics job but perhaps elsewhere. It won't hurt a smart CS major with a good GPA. When asked, say, "I self funded my education" or "I had to work" and that can even become a plus. (Just don't outright lie)