North Carolina · Political Science and Government

Best Political Science and Government institutions in North Carolina, ranked by earnings

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
37
offering CIP 45.10
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,433
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$38,836
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
16
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,585
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Political Scientists
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Duke University
Durham Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$54,97011697%$16,260$14,016
2Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$47,16112489%$20,914$23,133
3Davidson College
Davidson Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$46,2324491%$16,628$19,500
4North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,3103057%$29,264
5University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,20028291%$15,100
6Elon University
Elon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,8365584%$33,688$20,500
7North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,32115685%$23,457
8East Carolina University
Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,6275163%$25,000
9University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,78015069%$24,000
10University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,1242871%$22,250

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 North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
annual
Best-paying metro

Related careers

Social Science Research Assistants
$58,590 avg · 3,470 jobs
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$98,060 avg · 510 jobs
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
$132,670 avg · 480 jobs
Economists
$122,470 avg · 250 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in North Carolina.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Duke University tops the list at $54,970. Compare it against completions, 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).

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