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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find where political science and government graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose political science and government graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Lawrence University the top school for political science and government graduate earnings in Wisconsin. Lawrence University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Appleton. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Lawrence University typically earn about $57,718 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Beloit College earned it the #2 place for political science and government. Set in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Beloit College earn a median of about $56,375 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,593.
Marquette University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #4 spot this year. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Marquette University typically earn about $70,053 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned it the #5 place for political science and government. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $56,389 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #6 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point typically earn about $47,752 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #7 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay make a median of around $53,635 per year.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,879.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh make a median of around $42,366 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #10 spot for political science and government salaries this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $63,586 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school located in the town of Whitewater. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $53,769 a year early in their careers.
Carthage College landed the #12 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Carthage College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Political Science And Government graduates of Carthage College earn a median of about $24,259 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 12 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.