Best colleges for Political Science and Government in Oregon
Ranked by graduate earnings
Oregon State University, Lewis & Clark College and University of Oregon are the top bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Oregon by graduate earnings. Oregon State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,157, College Scorecard. University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Portland State University award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Oregon: 171, 69 and 49 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Oregon colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 404 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 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,157 | 69 | 70% | — | $24,260 |
| 2 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,784 | 20 | 75% | $27,621 | — |
| 3 | University of Oregon Eugene Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,022 | 171 | 72% | — | $20,183 |
| 4 | Portland State University Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,173 | 49 | 53% | — | $23,818 |
| 5 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,162 | 21 | 71% | $20,345 | $21,331 |
| 6 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,017 | 22 | 80% | $33,822 | $24,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in Oregon
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 Oregon Eugene Public | 171 | $36,022 |
| 2 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public | 69 | $39,157 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland Public | 49 | $35,173 |
| 4 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit | 22 | $23,017 |
| 5 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit | 21 | $35,162 |
| 6 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit | 20 | $38,784 |
| 7 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 8 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 9 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Eastern Oregon University La Grande Public | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Oregon colleges offering Political Science and Government
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Public | 4 |
| Linfield University | McMinnville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Pacific University | Forest Grove | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Corban University | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Oregon
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in Oregon.
Which Oregon colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+
University of Oregon (171 graduates a year), Oregon State University (69 graduates a year) and Portland State University (49 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Oregon colleges offer Political Science and Government.
What is the best college for Political Science and Government in Oregon?+
By graduate earnings, Oregon State University leads among bachelor's Political Science and Government programs in Oregon, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,157, College Scorecard. Lewis & Clark College and University of Oregon follow. By degrees awarded, University of Oregon is the largest, with 171 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Political Science and Government program in Oregon has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Oregon State University tops the list at $39,157. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in Oregon?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in Oregon is $117,330 (median $119,460). Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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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