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 highest-paying schools turn a political science and government degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying political science and government schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose political science and government graduates go on to earn the most.
Duke University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid political science and government graduates in North Carolina. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $101,627.
Wake Forest University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest 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 $89,748.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill make a median of around $71,082 per year.
Elon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Elon University typically earn about $70,667 annually.
Western Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Western Carolina University is a public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Political Science And Government graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of about $49,601 a year early in their careers.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from North Carolina State University At Raleigh make a median of around $64,316 per year.
East Carolina University earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from East Carolina University make a median of around $57,537 per year.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #8 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University typically earn about $42,310 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #9 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,406.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #10 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,763.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #11 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro make a median of around $50,622 per year.
Winston Salem State University earned the #12 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Winston Salem State University make a median of around $56,570 per year.
Appalachian State University landed the #13 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,799.
North Carolina Central University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,987.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #15 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,101.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #16 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public school located in the town of Pembroke. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke typically earn about $37,969 annually.
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 · 16 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.