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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their political science and government graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying political science and government schools.
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 Harvard University, our #1 for political science and government graduate salaries in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Harvard University typically earn about $117,484 annually.
Williams College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Williams College typically earn about $94,412 annually.
Tufts University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Tufts University earn a median of about $76,532 a year early in their careers.
Amherst College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Amherst College earn a median of about $83,307 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Boston College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Boston College typically earn about $90,434 annually.
Northeastern University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career political science and government graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $77,836 per year.
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Early-career political science and government graduates from College Of The Holy Cross make a median of around $82,765 per year.
Suffolk University landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Suffolk University typically earn about $77,636 annually.
Brandeis University earned the #9 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis 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 $75,110.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #10 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $66,447 a year early in their careers.
Boston University came in at #11 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career political science and government graduates from Boston University make a median of around $69,721 per year.
Stonehill College came in at #12 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Stonehill College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Early-career political science and government graduates from Stonehill College make a median of around $68,747 per year.
Wellesley College came in at #13 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Wellesley College typically earn about $60,169 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #14 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,047.
Assumption College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Assumption College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Assumption College typically earn about $72,290 annually.
Smith College came in at #16 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Smith College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Political Science And Government graduates of Smith College earn a median of about $63,650 a year early in their careers.
Bridgewater State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Bridgewater State University typically earn about $61,779 annually.
Simmons College landed the #18 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Simmons College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Political Science And Government graduates of Simmons College earn a median of about $63,778 a year early in their careers.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #19 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school located in the city of Boston. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Massachusetts Boston make a median of around $61,619 per year.
Clark University landed the #20 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Clark University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Political Science And Government graduates of Clark University earn a median of about $60,708 a year early in their careers.
Westfield State University landed the #21 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Westfield State University make a median of around $51,088 per year.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Emmanuel College Massachusetts make a median of around $38,004 per year.
Gordon College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Gordon College typically earn about $37,684 annually.
Framingham State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Framingham State University make a median of around $37,661 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #25 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth typically earn about $36,718 annually.
These schools also send political science and government graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 29 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.