Best colleges for Political Science and Government in District of Columbia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Georgetown University, George Washington University and American University are the top bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in District of Columbia by graduate earnings. Georgetown University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $55,247, College Scorecard. George Washington University, American University and Georgetown University award the most Political Science and Government degrees in District of Columbia: 417, 310 and 254 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 District of Columbia colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 1,246 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,…
Top 6 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,247 | 254 | 95% | $22,242 | $16,500 |
| 2 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,537 | 417 | 84% | $29,789 | $23,000 |
| 3 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,034 | 310 | 75% | $30,225 | $23,250 |
| 4 | The Catholic University of America Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,617 | 56 | 79% | $27,724 | $25,000 |
| 5 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,897 | 189 | 70% | $48,194 | $27,000 |
| 6 | University of the District of Columbia Washington Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,935 | 11 | 33% | — | $36,562 |
Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in District of Columbia
Top 8 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 417 | $51,537 |
| 2 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit | 310 | $48,034 |
| 3 | Georgetown University Washington Private not-for-profit | 254 | $55,247 |
| 4 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit | 189 | $31,897 |
| 5 | The Catholic University of America Washington Private not-for-profit | 56 | $44,617 |
| 6 | University of the District of Columbia Washington Public | 11 | $49,935 |
| 7 | Gallaudet University Washington Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 8 | Trinity Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in District of Columbia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in District of Columbia.
Which District of Columbia colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+
George Washington University (417 graduates a year), American University (310 graduates a year) and Georgetown University (254 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in District of Columbia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 District of Columbia colleges offer Political Science and Government.
What is the best college for Political Science and Government in District of Columbia?+
By graduate earnings, Georgetown University leads among bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in District of Columbia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $55,247, College Scorecard. George Washington University and American University follow. By degrees awarded, George Washington University is the largest, with 417 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Political Science and Government program in District of Columbia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Georgetown University tops the list at $55,247. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in District of Columbia?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in District of Columbia is $154,300 (median $152,530), across about 3,070 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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.
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