Alabama · Political Science and Government

Best colleges for Political Science and Government in Alabama

Ranked by graduate earnings

Troy University, University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama are the top bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Alabama by graduate earnings. Troy University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,279, College Scorecard. The University of Alabama, Auburn University and Troy University award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Alabama: 211, 75 and 37 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Alabama colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 512 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Political Science and Government program offers students an in-depth understanding of political systems, behavior, and institutions. This program is designed for individuals interested in exploring the complexities of governance,…

Institutions
18
offering CIP 45.10
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
512
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$32,699
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,870
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Political Scientists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Troy University
Troy Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,2793750%—$27,874
2University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,4742464%—$23,250
3The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,69921173%—$23,785
4Auburn University
Auburn Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,2287582%—$23,700
5Tuskegee University
Tuskegee Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$16,8841455%$33,313—

Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in Alabama

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa Public
211$32,699
2Auburn University
Auburn Public
75$32,228
3Troy University
Troy Public
37$46,279
4University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville Public
27Not reported
5University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham Public
24$34,474
6University of South Alabama
Mobile Public
20Not reported
7University of North Alabama
Florence Public
19Not reported
8Alabama State University
Montgomery Public
17Not reported
9Samford University
Birmingham Private not-for-profit
15Not reported
10Tuskegee University
Tuskegee Private not-for-profit
14$16,884
Show the other 8 Alabama colleges offering Political Science and Government
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonvillePublic13
Alabama A & M UniversityNormalPublic10
Oakwood UniversityHuntsvillePrivate not-for-profit9
University of MontevalloMontevalloPublic8
Spring Hill CollegeMobilePrivate not-for-profit5
Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomeryPublic4
Miles CollegeFairfieldPrivate not-for-profit2
University of MobileMobilePrivate not-for-profit2

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-3.1%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$139,380
typically Master's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningCritical ThinkingWriting

What Political Scientists earn in Alabama

Jobs in Alabama
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
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Related careers

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$85,990 avg · 180 jobs
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
$102,820 avg · 90 jobs
Economists
$127,060 avg · 40 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$52,590

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in Alabama.

Which Alabama colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+

The University of Alabama (211 graduates a year), Auburn University (75 graduates a year) and Troy University (37 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Alabama, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Alabama colleges offer Political Science and Government.

What is the best college for Political Science and Government in Alabama?+

By graduate earnings, Troy University leads among bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Alabama, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,279, College Scorecard. University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama follow. By degrees awarded, The University of Alabama is the largest, with 211 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Political Science and Government program in Alabama has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Troy University tops the list at $46,279. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

What is the focus of the Political Science and Government program?+

The Political Science and Government program offers students an in-depth understanding of political systems, behavior, and institutions. This program is designed for individuals interested in exploring the complexities of governance,…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, active learning, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Political Scientists?+

The national job outlook is about -3.1% growth with around 500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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