Best colleges for Political Science and Government in Kentucky
Ranked by graduate earnings
Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville are the top bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Kentucky by graduate earnings. Eastern Kentucky University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,899, College Scorecard. University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Kentucky: 107, 64 and 26 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Kentucky colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 331 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 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,899 | 20 | 50% | — | $21,498 |
| 2 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,745 | 107 | 71% | — | $21,667 |
| 3 | University of Louisville Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,777 | 64 | 61% | — | $19,500 |
| 4 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,294 | 26 | 56% | — | $20,500 |
| 5 | Bellarmine University Louisville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,424 | 9 | 64% | $22,542 | $25,226 |
Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in Kentucky
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 Kentucky Lexington Public | 107 | $34,745 |
| 2 | University of Louisville Louisville Public | 64 | $31,777 |
| 3 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public | 26 | $23,294 |
| 4 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond Public | 20 | $35,899 |
| 5 | Murray State University Murray Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 6 | Centre College Danville Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 7 | Berea College Berea Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 8 | Transylvania University Lexington Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 9 | Morehead State University Morehead Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 10 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights Public | 11 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 8 Kentucky colleges offering Political Science and Government
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellarmine University | Louisville | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Georgetown College | Georgetown | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Asbury University | Wilmore | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Campbellsville University | Campbellsville | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort | Public | 3 |
| Thomas More University | Crestview Hills | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | Owensboro | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Kentucky
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in Kentucky.
Which Kentucky colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+
University of Kentucky (107 graduates a year), University of Louisville (64 graduates a year) and Western Kentucky University (26 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Kentucky colleges offer Political Science and Government.
What is the best college for Political Science and Government in Kentucky?+
By graduate earnings, Eastern Kentucky University leads among bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Kentucky, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,899, College Scorecard. University of Kentucky and University of Louisville follow. By degrees awarded, University of Kentucky is the largest, with 107 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Political Science and Government program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Eastern Kentucky University tops the list at $35,899. 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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