by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 30 U.S. colleges awarded 305 degrees and certificates in American Government & Politics (United States). Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 51% of graduates. College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best American Government & Politics (United States) Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $38,607 one year after completing, rising to $65,849 after four years.
A major in American Government & Politics (United States) involves the study of American Government And Politics (United States). A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of United States Political Institutions And Behavior. Includes Instruction In American Political Theory, Political Parties And Interest Groups, State And Local Governments, Constitutional Law, Federalism And National Institutions, Executive And Legislative Politics, Judicial Politics, Popular Attitudes And Media Influences, Political Research Methods, And Applications To The Study Of Specific Issues And Institutions.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, american government & politics (united states) is a widely-pursued major, with 305 degrees awarded annually. 30 colleges award american government & politics (united states) degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 105.
By level, the 305 awards include 2 certificates, 10 associate degrees, 155 bachelor’s degrees and 138 master’s degrees.
Women earned 47% of american government & politics (united states) degrees and certificates in the latest year (144 of 305). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (179) and Hispanic or Latino (49), and international students earned 10.
College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best American Government & Politics (United States) Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 6 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks american government & politics (united states) schools within 3 states. In all, 30 colleges offer american government & politics (united states) programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common american government & politics (united states) credential is the bachelor’s degree: 155 of the 305 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to american government & politics (united states) call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Law and Government, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an american government & politics (united states) degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 10 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 155 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 138 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to american government & politics (united states), at 48.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 48.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.9% |
| Master’s degree | 5.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to American Government & Politics (United States), with an average median salary of $106,417; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Assistant Professor, Public Administration Professor, Adjunct Professor and Political Science Professor.
The occupation related to american government & politics (united states) with the most projected jobs is Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,638,816.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
American Government & Politics (United States) graduates earn a median $38,607 one year after completing their program, $65,849 after four years and $66,561 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,607 |
| 4 years | $65,849 |
| 5 years | $66,561 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to american government & politics (united states) is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
American Government & Politics (United States) has 3 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 45,120 degrees a year; the largest are Political Science and Government, General (43,702), Political Science and Government, Other (1,116) and Political Economy (302). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Political Science and Government, General | 43,702 |
| Political Science and Government, Other | 1,116 |
| Political Economy | 302 |
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