Best colleges for Political Science and Government in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Iowa, Grinnell College and Iowa State University are the top bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. University of Iowa leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,133, College Scorecard. University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Grinnell College award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Iowa: 118, 48 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 22 Iowa colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 306 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,133 | 118 | 75% | — | $24,250 |
| 2 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,662 | 33 | 88% | $14,470 | $17,500 |
| 3 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,715 | 48 | 75% | — | $23,250 |
| 4 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,875 | 13 | 68% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $21,358 | 7 | 71% | $22,827 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in Iowa
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 118 | $39,133 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 48 | $30,715 |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 33 | $36,662 |
| 4 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 13 | $37,875 |
| 6 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Wartburg College Waverly Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit | 7 | $21,358 |
ShowHide the other 12 Iowa colleges offering Political Science and Government
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Morningside University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Central College | Pella | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Public | 2 |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa | Public | 1 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Public | 1 |
| Loras College | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+
University of Iowa (118 graduates a year), Iowa State University (48 graduates a year) and Grinnell College (33 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 22 Iowa colleges offer Political Science and Government.
What is the best college for Political Science and Government in Iowa?+
By graduate earnings, University of Iowa leads among bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,133, College Scorecard. Grinnell College and Iowa State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Iowa is the largest, with 118 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Political Science and Government program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Iowa tops the list at $39,133. 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.
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