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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the early-career earnings of their political science and government graduates.
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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.
Leading the list is Washington And Lee University, our #1 for political science and government graduate salaries in Virginia. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Washington And Lee University typically earn about $75,915 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #2. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $84,910 annually.
A rank of #3 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $74,736 a year early in their careers.
College Of William And Mary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,102.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of about $72,652 a year early in their careers.
University Of Richmond earned the #6 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Richmond make a median of around $67,169 per year.
James Madison University landed the #7 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,443.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Virginia Wesleyan College make a median of around $51,575 per year.
Christopher Newport University earned the #9 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Christopher Newport University make a median of around $62,548 per year.
Randolph Macon College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,962.
Radford University landed the #11 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Radford University make a median of around $79,892 per year.
Liberty University came in at #12 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty 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 $49,988.
University Of Mary Washington placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,017.
Hampton University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Hampton University earn a median of about $58,354 a year early in their careers.
Longwood University earned the #15 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Longwood University typically earn about $44,651 annually.
Old Dominion University landed the #16 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Old Dominion University is a public school located in the city of Norfolk. Political Science And Government graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of about $61,293 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school located in the city of Richmond. Early-career political science and government graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University make a median of around $55,117 per year.
Marymount University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Marymount University typically earn about $41,186 annually.
Hampden Sydney College earned the #19 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $37,123 a year early in their careers.
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 · 19 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.