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 schools below stand out for the salaries their political science and government graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 32 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.
Leading the list is University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 for political science and government graduate salaries in Pennsylvania. 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 #2 makes Lehigh University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Lehigh University typically earn about $88,889 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Bucknell University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,169.
University Of Scranton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of about $64,473 a year early in their careers.
Bryn Mawr College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College typically earn about $63,533 annually.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for political science and government salaries 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.
Villanova University earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located 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 ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Lafayette College typically earn about $81,966 annually.
Gettysburg College earned the #9 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Gettysburg College typically earn about $79,444 annually.
Franklin And Marshall College earned the #10 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Franklin And Marshall College make a median of around $71,360 per year.
Swarthmore College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of about $78,204 a year early in their careers.
Muhlenberg College came in at #12 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $98,108 a year early in their careers.
Dickinson College landed the #13 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson 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 $73,090.
Elizabethtown College earned the #14 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of about $48,414 a year early in their careers.
Susquehanna University earned the #15 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna 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 $46,266.
Temple University landed the #16 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Temple University typically earn about $61,331 annually.
Saint Josephs University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Saint Josephs University make a median of around $56,381 per year.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #18 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg typically earn about $61,478 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #19 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,478.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #20 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $61,478 a year early in their careers.
Mercyhurst College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Mercyhurst College make a median of around $60,520 per year.
Duquesne University earned the #22 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Political Science And Government graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of about $67,704 a year early in their careers.
Washington And Jefferson College earned the #23 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Washington And Jefferson College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Washington. Early-career political science and government graduates from Washington And Jefferson College make a median of around $51,408 per year.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #24 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,648.
Allegheny College placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Allegheny College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,817.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning political science and government graduates:
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 · 32 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.