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 5 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.
American Public University System tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools in West Virginia. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of American Public University System earn a median of about $85,827 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Marshall University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Marshall University is a public school located in the city of Huntington. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,445.
A rank of #3 makes West Virginia University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. West Virginia University is a public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,257.
A rank of #4 makes West Virginia University Institute Of Technology one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Beckley, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from West Virginia University Institute Of Technology typically earn about $59,257 annually.
Fairmont State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of about $34,992 a year early in their careers.
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 · 5 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.