by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science And Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their political science and government graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their political science and government graduates.
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Below are the schools whose political science and government graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of Notre Dame, our #1 for political science and government graduate salaries in Indiana. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of about $81,595 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #2 place for political science and government. University Of Southern Indiana is a public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Southern Indiana make a median of around $65,679 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Marys College one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Saint Marys College make a median of around $63,846 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Hanover College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Hanover College earn a median of about $60,117 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Political Science And Government graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $72,774 a year early in their careers.
Depauw University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Depauw University make a median of around $61,602 per year.
Wabash College came in at #7 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College 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 $72,527.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $70,848 annually.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #9 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis typically earn about $62,227 annually.
Valparaiso University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Valparaiso University typically earn about $65,176 annually.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #11 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Indiana University South Bend is a public school located in the city of South Bend. Political Science And Government graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of about $44,071 a year early in their careers.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,159.
Indiana State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Indiana State University is a public school located in the city of Terre Haute. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Indiana State University typically earn about $45,625 annually.
University Of Indianapolis placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. University Of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of about $32,406 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 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.