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 51 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.
For graduate earnings in political science and government, no school beat Columbia University In The City Of New York this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of about $98,687 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Barnard College earned it the #2 place for political science and government. Barnard College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career political science and government graduates from Barnard College make a median of around $95,608 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Colgate University earned it the #3 place for political science and government. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate 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 $95,708.
A rank of #4 makes Cornell University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Cornell University typically earn about $87,361 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Hamilton College one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Hamilton College typically earn about $80,732 annually.
New York University came in at #6 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career political science and government graduates from New York University make a median of around $85,250 per year.
Saint John Fisher College came in at #7 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. Political Science And Government graduates of Saint John Fisher College earn a median of about $64,308 a year early in their careers.
Manhattanville College landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville 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 $63,458.
Union College New York came in at #9 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York 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 $83,411.
St Johns University New York placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from St Johns University New York typically earn about $58,558 annually.
Vassar College came in at #11 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar 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 $72,327.
Fordham University came in at #12 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Fordham University make a median of around $77,828 per year.
Marist College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Marist College typically earn about $69,099 annually.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #14 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Suny At Fredonia make a median of around $53,415 per year.
Stony Brook University landed the #15 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Stony Brook University is a public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Stony Brook University typically earn about $77,623 annually.
Syracuse University earned the #16 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of about $67,317 a year early in their careers.
St Lawrence University earned the #17 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence 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 $77,943.
Pace University New York ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of about $68,834 a year early in their careers.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #19 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of about $70,902 a year early in their careers.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #20 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Early-career political science and government graduates from Long Island University C W Post Campus make a median of around $66,195 per year.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #21 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College typically earn about $58,797 annually.
Le Moyne College earned the #22 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Le Moyne College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Early-career political science and government graduates from Le Moyne College make a median of around $71,137 per year.
Hartwick College landed the #23 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Hartwick College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Hartwick College typically earn about $67,216 annually.
University Of Rochester earned the #24 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Rochester make a median of around $64,944 per year.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #25 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,568.
These schools also send political science and government graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 51 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.