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 highest-paying schools turn a political science and government degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 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.
For graduate earnings in political science and government, no school beat Johns Hopkins University this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University typically earn about $126,228 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at George Washington University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington 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 $106,800.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $76,442 annually.
A rank of #4 makes American Public University System one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from American Public University System make a median of around $82,713 per year.
Georgetown University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Georgetown University typically earn about $73,347 annually.
George Mason University came in at #6 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $71,787 per year.
American University earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from American University typically earn about $85,653 annually.
James Madison University landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $68,741 annually.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #9 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Colorado Denver make a median of around $70,674 per year.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #10 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,790.
Western Illinois University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Western Illinois University make a median of around $60,990 per year.
Regent University landed the #12 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Regent University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Early-career political science and government graduates from Regent University make a median of around $51,084 per year.
Florida State University came in at #13 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,187.
St Johns University New York earned the #14 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from St Johns University New York make a median of around $78,918 per year.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. Political Science And Government graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $54,270 a year early in their careers.
Idaho State University landed the #16 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Idaho State University is a public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,359.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #17 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield typically earn about $52,565 annually.
Georgia State University came in at #18 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Georgia State University is a public school located in the city of Atlanta. Early-career political science and government graduates from Georgia State University make a median of around $52,547 per year.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $48,847 annually.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #20 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $48,847 a year early in their careers.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Political Science And Government rankings across degree levels:
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 · 20 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.