Best colleges for Political Science and Government in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Truman State University, Missouri State University - Springfield and University of Missouri-Columbia are the top bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. Truman State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,813, College Scorecard. University of Missouri-Columbia, Washington University in St Louis and University of Missouri-St Louis award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Missouri: 208, 85 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Missouri colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 539 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 | Truman State University Kirksville Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,813 | 21 | 69% | — | $26,649 |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,944 | 26 | 58% | — | $20,500 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,722 | 208 | 75% | — | $22,517 |
| 4 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,050 | 33 | 57% | — | $25,250 |
| 5 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,502 | 33 | 80% | $24,886 | $25,000 |
| 6 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,556 | 9 | 54% | — | $23,678 |
Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in Missouri
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 Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public | 208 | $37,722 |
| 2 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis Private not-for-profit | 85 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 33 | $36,050 |
| 4 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 33 | $30,502 |
| 5 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 31 | Not reported |
| 6 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 26 | $37,944 |
| 7 | Truman State University Kirksville Public | 21 | $39,813 |
| 8 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 9 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public | 9 | $35,556 |
ShowHide the other 13 Missouri colleges offering Political Science and Government
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris-Stowe State University | Saint Louis | Public | 10 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville | Public | 7 |
| Park University | Parkville | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| William Jewell College | Liberty | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Westminster College | Fulton | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Drury University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City | Public | 4 |
| Webster University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | Public | 3 |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Columbia College | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+
University of Missouri-Columbia (208 graduates a year), Washington University in St Louis (85 graduates a year) and University of Missouri-St Louis (33 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Missouri colleges offer Political Science and Government.
What is the best college for Political Science and Government in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, Truman State University leads among bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,813, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield and University of Missouri-Columbia follow. By degrees awarded, University of Missouri-Columbia is the largest, with 208 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Political Science and Government program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Truman State University tops the list at $39,813. 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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