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 7 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.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for highest-paid political science and government graduates in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $76,442 per year.
American Public University System came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,713.
Strong graduate earnings at George Mason University earned it the #3 place for political science and government. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,787.
James Madison University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of James Madison University earn a median of about $68,741 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Regent University earned it the #5 place for political science and government. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Regent University earn a median of about $51,084 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University came in at #6 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Florida State University make a median of around $76,187 per year.
Georgia State University earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,547.
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 · 7 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.