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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the early-career earnings of their political science and government graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose political science and government graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in political science and government, no school beat University Of Dayton this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Dayton typically earn about $75,766 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Heidelberg University, which ranked #2. Heidelberg University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,709.
Miami University Oxford produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of about $64,243 a year early in their careers.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $52,742 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Xavier University earned it the #5 place for political science and government. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Xavier University make a median of around $68,170 per year.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,909.
Ashland University came in at #7 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Ashland University typically earn about $50,903 annually.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $60,894 a year early in their careers.
Capital University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Capital University earn a median of about $56,524 a year early in their careers.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $59,813 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #11 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Ohio University Main Campus make a median of around $58,642 per year.
Oberlin College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Oberlin College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Oberlin College typically earn about $65,609 annually.
Denison University landed the #13 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Denison University make a median of around $63,179 per year.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #14 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of about $67,362 a year early in their careers.
The College Of Wooster landed the #15 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster 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 $47,531.
John Carroll University came in at #16 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. Early-career political science and government graduates from John Carroll University make a median of around $60,927 per year.
University Of Toledo placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. University Of Toledo is a public school located in the city of Toledo. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of about $51,736 a year early in their careers.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #18 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent typically earn about $53,317 annually.
Kenyon College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon 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 $39,550.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot for political science and government salaries this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Akron. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Akron Main Campus make a median of around $57,740 per year.
Cleveland State University earned the #21 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Cleveland State University is a public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,974.
Youngstown State University came in at #22 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Youngstown State University is a public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,258.
Baldwin Wallace College landed the #23 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace 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 $31,696.
Ohio Wesleyan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of about $27,165 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 · 24 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.