Arkansas · Political Science and Government

Best colleges for Political Science and Government in Arkansas

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University and University of Central Arkansas award the most Political Science and Government degrees and certificates in Arkansas: 115, 20 and 15 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Arkansas colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 208 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
15
offering CIP 45.10
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
208
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$31,348
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,325
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Political Scientists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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
1University of Arkansas
Fayetteville Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,74511571%—$25,370
2University of Central Arkansas
Conway Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$31,3481554%—$21,150

Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in Arkansas

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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)
1University of Arkansas
Fayetteville Public
115$33,745
2Arkansas State University
Jonesboro Public
20Not reported
3University of Central Arkansas
Conway Public
15$31,348
4University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock Public
10Not reported
5Harding University
Searcy Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
6Arkansas Tech University
Russellville Public
6Not reported
7Hendrix College
Conway Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
8John Brown University
Siloam Springs Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
9University of the Ozarks
Clarksville Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
10University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Fort Smith Public
5Not reported
Show the other 5 Arkansas colleges offering Political Science and Government
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticelloPublic3
Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphiaPrivate not-for-profit3
Philander Smith UniversityLittle RockPrivate not-for-profit3
Lyon CollegeBatesvillePrivate not-for-profit1
Williams Baptist UniversityWalnut RidgePrivate not-for-profit1

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 Arkansas

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

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$65,690 avg · 80 jobs
Economists
$94,330 avg · 50 jobs
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
$90,010 avg · 40 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
—

Common questions

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

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

University of Arkansas (115 graduates a year), Arkansas State University (20 graduates a year) and University of Central Arkansas (15 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees and certificates in Arkansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Arkansas colleges offer Political Science and Government.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Arkansas tops the list at $33,745. 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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