by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science And Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where political science and government graduates earn the most.
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.
Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 for political science and government graduate salaries in the Middle Atlantic Region. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Political Science And Government graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of about $123,147 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $111,976 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $98,687 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Princeton University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Early-career political science and government graduates from Princeton University make a median of around $94,020 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Barnard College, which ranked #5. Barnard College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Barnard College typically earn about $95,608 annually.
Colgate University landed the #6 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Colgate University earn a median of about $95,708 a year early in their careers.
Cornell University earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Cornell University typically earn about $87,361 annually.
Lehigh University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh 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 $88,889.
Hamilton College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of about $80,732 a year early in their careers.
Bucknell University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Early-career political science and government graduates from Bucknell University make a median of around $87,169 per year.
George Washington University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of George Washington University earn a median of about $92,512 a year early in their careers.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #12 spot for political science and government salaries this year. University Of Maryland University College is a public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,466.
Georgetown University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Georgetown University make a median of around $86,431 per year.
New York University landed the #14 spot for political science and government salaries this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,250.
University Of Scranton landed the #15 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Scranton make a median of around $64,473 per year.
Saint John Fisher College earned the #16 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher 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 $64,308.
Bryn Mawr College came in at #17 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Bryn Mawr College make a median of around $63,533 per year.
Manhattanville College landed the #18 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Manhattanville College make a median of around $63,458 per year.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,380.
Union College New York ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Union College New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Schenectady. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Union College New York typically earn about $83,411 annually.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #21 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham make a median of around $62,585 per year.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #22 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus make a median of around $62,585 per year.
Villanova University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Villanova University make a median of around $85,999 per year.
Lafayette College came in at #24 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Lafayette College make a median of around $81,966 per year.
St Marys College Of Maryland placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. St Marys College Of Maryland is a public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland typically earn about $59,056 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid political science and government ranking:
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 · 100 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.
