2021 Highest Paid Political Science & Government Graduates
Finding the Best Political Science & Government School for You
In 2018-2019, 41,811 people earned their bachelor's in political science and government, making the major the #13 most popular in the United States.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Highest Paid Political Science list to help you make the college decision.
This year's Highest Paid Political Science & Government Graduates ranking looked at 376 colleges that offer a bachelor's in political science.
In this ranking, we use early career salaries - salaries 10 years from when a student started college. This is the salary typically earned 4-6 years after graduation, but may be different depending on how long a person takes to complete their degree.
Comparing Average Salaries of Political Science & Government Majors
The average political science and government major who graduates from a school in the United States earns about $33,465 per year during the early years of their career. Unfortunately, that is 16% less than the average salary of a typical college graduate. However, graduates from the schools below may make more than this.
College Combat
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
Featured Political Science & Government Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University. Learn More > |
2021 Highest Paid Political Science & Government Grads in the United States
Below you'll see a list of the colleges and universities that produce the highest paid political science and government majors.
Top 25 Best Schools for Highly Paid Political Science Graduates
Our rankings recognize Dartmouth College as the #1 school in this year's rankings. Dartmouth is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Political Science majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $59,900.
On average, political science graduates from Dartmouth take out $15,261 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $145.
Colgate University earned the #2 spot in our 2021 rankings. Colgate is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hamilton. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in political science from the school is $53,200.
On average, political science graduates from Colgate take out $15,569 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $173.
Full Political Science & Government at Colgate University Report
United States Naval Academy comes in at #2 in this year's ranking. Annapolis is a small public school located in the large suburb of Annapolis.
Harvard University comes in at #3 in this year's ranking. Harvard is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Cambridge. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in political science from the school is $51,800.
While working on their bachelor's, political science majors at Harvard accumulate an average of around $12,238 in student debt.
Full Political Science & Government at Harvard University Report
United States Military Academy landed the #3 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid political science and government school. West Point is a small public school located in the fringe town of West Point.
Full Political Science & Government at United States Military Academy Report
The #4 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Pennsylvania. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in political science from the school is $51,100.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at UPenn take out while working on their bachelor's is $19,860. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $202.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Pennsylvania
Our rankings recognize Stanford University as the #4 school in this year's rankings. Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
On average, political science graduates from Stanford take out $13,377 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $86.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Stanford University
Columbia University in the City of New York comes in at #5 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in political science from the school is $51,100.
After completing their bachelor's degree, political science graduates from Columbia carry an average student debtload of $25,569. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $259.
Full Political Science & Government at Columbia University in the City of New York Report
Bowdoin College earned the #6 spot in our 2021 rankings. Bowdoin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. Political Science majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $50,400.
Political Science majors at Bowdoin take out an average of $17,758 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $168, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Bowdoin College
Hartwick College landed the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid political science and government school. Located in the town of Oneonta, Hartwick is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, political science graduates from Hartwick take out $25,723 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $280.
American Public University System comes in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population. Students who receive their bachelor's in political science from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $50,300.
On average, political science graduates from American Military University take out $28,474 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $276, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Amherst College comes in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Amherst is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in political science from the school is $49,500.
Political Science majors at Amherst take out an average of $14,136 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $125.
Yale University comes in at #9 in this year's ranking. Yale is a large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of New Haven. Political Science majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $49,100.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at Yale take out while working on their bachelor's is $15,332. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $161, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Political Science & Government at Yale University Report
Southern Methodist University earned the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings. SMU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Dallas. Political Science majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $49,100.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at SMU take out while working on their bachelor's is $17,464. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $185, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Southern Methodist University
Georgetown University comes in at #11 in this year's ranking. Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Washington. Political Science majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $49,100.
Political Science majors at Georgetown take out an average of $13,531 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $158, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Political Science & Government at Georgetown University Report
Princeton University comes in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, political science majors make an average salary of $47,900.
While working on their bachelor's, political science majors at Princeton accumulate an average of around $12,382 in student debt.
United States Air Force Academy comes in at #13 in this year's ranking. USAFA is a small public school located in the fringe town of USAF Academy.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at United States Air Force Academy
The #13 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Duke University. Duke is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Durham. Political Science majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $47,400.
After completing their bachelor's degree, political science graduates from Duke carry an average student debtload of $11,776. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $93.
Bucknell University comes in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in the distant town of Lewisburg, Bucknell is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in political science from the school is $47,300.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at Bucknell take out while working on their bachelor's is $21,989. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $259.
New York University landed the #15 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid political science and government school. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York. Political Science majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $47,200.
Political Science majors at NYU take out an average of $20,039 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $228.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at New York University
University of Notre Dame comes in at #16 in this year's ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, political science majors make an average salary of $47,000.
After completing their bachelor's degree, political science graduates from Notre Dame carry an average student debtload of $17,271. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $197, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Political Science & Government at University of Notre Dame Report
The #17 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Northwestern University. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Evanston. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, political science majors make an average salary of $47,000.
On average, political science graduates from Northwestern take out $16,052 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $155.
The #18 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Hamilton College. Located in the midsize suburb of Clinton, Hamilton is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. Students who receive their bachelor's in political science from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $46,800.
After completing their bachelor's degree, political science graduates from Hamilton carry an average student debtload of $18,157. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $188, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Hamilton College
The #19 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Pepperdine University. Pepperdine is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Malibu.
While working on their bachelor's, political science majors at Pepperdine accumulate an average of around $23,292 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $254.
University of Maryland Global Campus comes in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public college with a very large student population. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in political science from the school is $46,500.
Political Science majors at UMGC take out an average of $19,079 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $167.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Maryland Global Campus
Rest of the Top Schools for Highest Paid Political Science & Government Graduates
Additional Award Winners
This section represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Highest Paid Political Science & Government Graduates badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 376 different United States political science and government schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA |
| 52 | University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA |
| 53 | Washington and Lee University | Lexington, VA |
| 54 | Gettysburg College | Gettysburg, PA |
| 55 | Lafayette College | Easton, PA |
| 56 | Brigham Young University - Provo | Provo, UT |
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Highest Paid Political Science & Government Graduates award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 57 | Providence College | Providence, RI |
| 58 | Boston University | Boston, MA |
| 59 | Radford University | Radford, VA |
| 60 | College of William and Mary | Williamsburg, VA |
| 61 | Brigham Young University - Idaho | Rexburg, ID |
| 62 | Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley, MA |
| 63 | Colby College | Waterville, ME |
| 64 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA |
| 65 | Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ |
| 66 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
| 67 | Catholic University of America | Washington, DC |
| 68 | University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT |
| 69 | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |
| 70 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
| 71 | Wellesley College | Wellesley, MA |
| 72 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY |
| 73 | Swarthmore College | Swarthmore, PA |
| 74 | Texas A&M University - College Station | College Station, TX |
| 75 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL |
Political Science & Government by Region
View the Highest Paid Political Science & Government Graduates for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Rankings in Majors Related to Political Science
One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Political Science & Government has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Political Science
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 40,355 |
| Sociology | 29,920 |
| International Relations & National Security | 9,868 |
| Anthropology | 9,040 |
| Criminology | 8,478 |
View All Political Science Related Majors >
Notes and References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to UKWiki at English Wikipedia.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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