by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science And Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their political science and government graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 8 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.
For graduate earnings in political science and government, no school beat Centre College this year. Centre College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. Early-career political science and government graduates from Centre College make a median of around $70,170 per year.
Northern Kentucky University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Northern Kentucky University make a median of around $54,948 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Kentucky earned it the #3 place for political science and government. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of about $58,226 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Morehead State University earned it the #4 place for political science and government. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,025.
University Of Louisville produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Louisville make a median of around $55,314 per year.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Eastern Kentucky University make a median of around $48,324 per year.
Bellarmine University earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Bellarmine University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Bellarmine University typically earn about $50,223 annually.
Western Kentucky University came in at #8 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $52,865 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 8 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.