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 16 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.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid political science and government graduates in New Jersey. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned it the #2 place for political science and government. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham typically earn about $62,585 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus, which ranked #3. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Early-career political science and government graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus make a median of around $62,585 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at The College Of New Jersey, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from The College Of New Jersey make a median of around $79,476 per year.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,531.
Drew University landed the #6 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Drew University typically earn about $75,911 annually.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $71,531 annually.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Rutgers University Newark make a median of around $71,531 per year.
Monmouth University came in at #9 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Early-career political science and government graduates from Monmouth University make a median of around $68,531 per year.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #10 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of about $55,485 a year early in their careers.
Seton Hall University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Seton Hall University make a median of around $61,061 per year.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey make a median of around $56,037 per year.
Montclair State University landed the #13 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,252.
Kean University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,078.
Rowan University came in at #15 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Rowan University make a median of around $52,619 per year.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Ramapo College Of New Jersey make a median of around $36,050 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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.
