by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science And Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their political science and government graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 72 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying political science and government schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send political science and government graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Azusa Pacific University the top school for political science and government graduate earnings in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Azusa Pacific University make a median of around $77,575 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Biola University earned it the #2 place for political science and government. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Biola University typically earn about $76,335 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at San Jose State University earned it the #3 place for political science and government. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Early-career political science and government graduates from San Jose State University make a median of around $70,202 per year.
Mills College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Oakland, Mills College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Mills College make a median of around $67,865 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Stanford University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,221.
Santa Clara University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,668.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $78,026 annually.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Political Science And Government graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $90,264 a year early in their careers.
Pepperdine University landed the #9 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Pepperdine University typically earn about $81,421 annually.
Whitworth University earned the #10 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. Political Science And Government graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of about $72,166 a year early in their careers.
California State University East Bay earned the #11 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of about $77,086 a year early in their careers.
Ashford University came in at #12 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Ashford University typically earn about $54,872 annually.
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #13 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of about $67,807 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $78,005 per year.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #15 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara typically earn about $73,638 annually.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #16 spot for political science and government salaries this year. California State University Bakersfield is a public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Early-career political science and government graduates from California State University Bakersfield make a median of around $52,098 per year.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #17 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Washington Bothell Campus make a median of around $68,104 per year.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $68,104 a year early in their careers.
University Of San Francisco placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,079.
Chapman University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Chapman University earn a median of about $76,190 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University earned the #21 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from San Diego State University make a median of around $70,987 per year.
San Francisco State University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from San Francisco State University make a median of around $72,521 per year.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #23 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,578.
Seattle University earned the #24 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Seattle University earn a median of about $64,112 a year early in their careers.
Occidental College came in at #25 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Occidental College earn a median of about $57,825 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid political science and government ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their political science and government graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 72 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.