by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 55 U.S. colleges awarded 1,116 degrees and certificates in Other Political Science & Government. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 84% of graduates. College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Other Political Science & Government 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 degree in Other Political Science & Government covers Political Science And Government, Other. Any Instructional Program In Political Science And Government Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., other political science & government is a popular field of study, with 1,116 degrees awarded annually. 55 colleges award other political science & government degrees, an average of 20 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 177.
By level, the 1,116 awards include 10 certificates, 934 bachelor’s degrees, 157 master’s degrees and 15 doctorates.
Women earned 55% of other political science & government degrees and certificates in the latest year (617 of 1,116). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (594) and Hispanic or Latino (203), and international students earned 47.
College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Other Political Science & Government Schools ranking, including 17 for bachelor’s degrees, 6 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks other political science & government schools within 9 states. In all, 55 colleges offer other political science & government programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Political Science & Government Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other political science & government credential is the bachelor’s degree: 934 of the 1,116 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other political science & government 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 other political science & government degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 934 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 157 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other political science & government, 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 Other Political Science & Government, 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 Instructor, University Faculty Member, Political Science Faculty Member and Geopolitics Teacher.
The occupation related to other political science & government 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% |
Other Political Science & Government 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 other political science & government 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 |
Other Political Science & Government has 3 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 44,309 degrees a year; the largest are Political Science and Government, General (43,702), American Government and Politics (United States) (305) 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 |
| American Government and Politics (United States) | 305 |
| Political Economy | 302 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
