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 highest-paying schools turn a political science and government degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find where political science and government graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose political science and government graduates go on to earn the most.
Rice University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools in the Southwest Region. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Political Science And Government graduates of Rice University earn a median of about $87,237 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Methodist University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Political Science And Government graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $84,753 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Texas Christian University earned it the #3 place for political science and government. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of about $74,744 a year early in their careers.
University Of Dallas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas 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 $81,858.
Texas Wesleyan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Texas Wesleyan University typically earn about $54,584 annually.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from The University Of Texas At Austin make a median of around $70,835 per year.
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #7 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $68,231 a year early in their careers.
Sam Houston State University landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,238.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $68,231 annually.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #10 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Prairie View A And M University make a median of around $51,812 per year.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,219.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #12 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a public school located in the city of Tyler. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler typically earn about $50,747 annually.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Stillwater. Early-career political science and government graduates from Oklahoma State University Main Campus make a median of around $72,132 per year.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #14 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school located in the city of Richardson. Early-career political science and government graduates from The University Of Texas At Dallas make a median of around $68,514 per year.
Baylor University earned the #15 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Baylor University earn a median of about $70,092 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arizona landed the #16 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,459.
University Of Houston landed the #17 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,848.
St Marys University landed the #18 spot for political science and government salaries this year. St Marys University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Early-career political science and government graduates from St Marys University make a median of around $57,741 per year.
Saint Edwards University earned the #19 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Saint Edwards University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Saint Edwards University typically earn about $60,291 annually.
Texas Tech University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Political Science And Government graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $57,886 a year early in their careers.
Northern Arizona University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Northern Arizona University make a median of around $55,683 per year.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of New Mexico Main Campus make a median of around $57,569 per year.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a public school located in the city of Houston. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Houston Downtown make a median of around $51,203 per year.
University Of North Texas placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of North Texas typically earn about $56,747 annually.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #25 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Stephen F Austin State University make a median of around $57,886 per year.
These schools also send political science and government graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 41 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.