Louisiana · Political Science and Government

Best colleges for Political Science and Government in Louisiana

Ranked by graduate earnings

Tulane University of Louisiana, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College and University of Louisiana at Lafayette are the top bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Louisiana by graduate earnings. Tulane University of Louisiana leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,265, College Scorecard. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Tulane University of Louisiana and University of Louisiana at Lafayette award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Louisiana: 220, 144 and 44 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Louisiana colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 561 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
14
offering CIP 45.10
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
561
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$28,518
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
7
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,906
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
53%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Political Scientists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 7 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
1Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,26514486%$33,106$19,500
2Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,77122069%—$19,500
3University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,5184453%—$22,063
4University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,4502954%—$23,467
5Louisiana Tech University
Ruston Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$34,6401564%—$25,054
6Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$26,9921045%—$26,499
7Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$26,2811459%$22,906$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in Louisiana

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)
1Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Public
220$30,771
2Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
144$41,265
3University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public
44$28,518
4University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe Public
29$23,450
5Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
25Not reported
6Louisiana Tech University
Ruston Public
15$34,640
7Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
14$26,281
8University of New Orleans
New Orleans Public
13Not reported
9Nicholls State University
Thibodaux Public
12Not reported
10McNeese State University
Lake Charles Public
11Not reported
Show the other 4 Louisiana colleges offering Political Science and Government
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Southern University and A & M CollegeBaton RougePublic16
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammondPublic10
Centenary College of LouisianaShreveportPrivate not-for-profit4
Dillard UniversityNew OrleansPrivate not-for-profit4

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 Louisiana

Jobs in Louisiana
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Social Science Research Assistants
$55,140 avg · 340 jobs
Economists
$89,010 avg · 140 jobs
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$93,270 avg · 70 jobs
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
$135,230 avg · 70 jobs

Common questions

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

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

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (220 graduates a year), Tulane University of Louisiana (144 graduates a year) and University of Louisiana at Lafayette (44 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Louisiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Louisiana colleges offer Political Science and Government.

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

By graduate earnings, Tulane University of Louisiana leads among bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Louisiana, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,265, College Scorecard. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College and University of Louisiana at Lafayette follow. By degrees awarded, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is the largest, with 220 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Tulane University of Louisiana tops the list at $41,265. 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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