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 15 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.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for highest-paid political science and government graduates in Michigan. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $78,402 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Michigan State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $72,691 a year early in their careers.
Aquinas College Michigan came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Aquinas College Michigan is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,667.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Wayne State University, which ranked #4. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,454.
A rank of #5 makes Central Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Central Michigan University typically earn about $59,821 annually.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #6 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,730.
Western Michigan University came in at #7 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,046.
Grand Valley State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $56,023 a year early in their careers.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University typically earn about $49,431 annually.
Northern Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Northern Michigan University make a median of around $52,063 per year.
Albion College earned the #11 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Albion College earn a median of about $39,066 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #12 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of about $51,826 a year early in their careers.
Oakland University earned the #13 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Oakland University is a public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Oakland University typically earn about $51,252 annually.
Hope College came in at #14 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Hope College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,389.
Kalamazoo College came in at #15 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo 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 $30,494.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries political science and government graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 15 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.