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 12 schools to find where political science and government graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send political science and government graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Citadel Military College Of South Carolina the top school for political science and government graduate earnings in South Carolina. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina typically earn about $66,788 annually.
Furman University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman 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 $69,977.
Strong graduate earnings at Clemson University earned it the #3 place for political science and government. Clemson University is a public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Political Science And Government graduates of Clemson University earn a median of about $74,888 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of South Carolina Upstate make a median of around $59,145 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Presbyterian College earned it the #5 place for political science and government. Presbyterian College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Clinton. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,761.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $60,403 a year early in their careers.
College Of Charleston came in at #7 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from College Of Charleston typically earn about $55,509 annually.
Wofford College earned the #8 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Wofford College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Wofford College typically earn about $56,606 annually.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #9 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Coastal Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Conway. Political Science And Government graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $54,322 a year early in their careers.
Claflin University landed the #10 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Claflin University typically earn about $38,842 annually.
Winthrop University landed the #11 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Winthrop University make a median of around $45,845 per year.
Francis Marion University earned the #12 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,289.
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 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.