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.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying political science and government schools.
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.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 for political science and government graduate salaries in Texas. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Rice University typically earn about $87,237 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Methodist University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $84,753 annually.
Texas Christian University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Texas Christian University typically earn about $74,744 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at University Of Dallas, which ranked #4. University Of Dallas is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of about $81,858 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Texas Wesleyan University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan 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 $54,584.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #6 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located 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.
Sam Houston State University landed the #7 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Sam Houston State University typically earn about $52,238 annually.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. 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 landed the #9 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. 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 #10 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler typically earn about $50,747 annually.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #11 spot for political science and government salaries 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 ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Baylor University typically earn about $70,092 annually.
University Of Houston landed the #13 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from University Of Houston make a median of around $61,848 per year.
St Marys University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys 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 $57,741.
Saint Edwards University earned the #15 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards 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 $60,291.
Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Early-career political science and government graduates from Texas Tech University make a median of around $57,886 per year.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #17 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a public school located in the city of Houston. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,203.
University Of North Texas came in at #18 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located 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 came in at #19 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University typically earn about $57,886 annually.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #20 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from The University Of Texas At Arlington make a median of around $59,898 per year.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #21 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,910.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #22 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,969.
Texas Womans University came in at #23 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Texas Womans University is a public school located in the city of Denton. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Texas Womans University typically earn about $39,272 annually.
Texas Southern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Texas Southern University is a public school located in the city of Houston. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Texas Southern University typically earn about $54,608 annually.
Southwestern University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of about $34,415 a year early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning political science and government graduates:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their political science and government graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 31 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.