Best colleges for Political Science and Government
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Political Science and Government by graduate earnings are Dartmouth College ($72,618), Tufts University ($67,713) and University of Pennsylvania ($65,473), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH): $72,618, 126 graduates a year
- Tufts University (Medford, MA): $67,713, 50 graduates a year
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA): $65,473, 108 graduates a year
- Princeton University (Princeton, NJ): $63,317, 93 graduates a year
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): $61,543, 204 graduates a year
Compare 1,202 U.S. colleges offering Political Science and Government by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Political Science and Government programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,556 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 45.10 and the Political Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Political Science and Government programs
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, policy-making, and political theory, both domestically and internationally. Students will engage with a variety of topics, including comparative politics and the dynamics of political institutions.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers areas like law and government, history, and political economy, equipping students with the knowledge needed to analyze and interpret political phenomena.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,618 | 126 | 96% | $14,689 | $17,500 |
| 2 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $67,713 | 50 | 94% | $23,570 | $17,725 |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,473 | 108 | 97% | $22,055 | $14,722 |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,317 | 93 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 5 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,543 | 204 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 6 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,077 | 288 | 96% | $15,315 | $22,943 |
| 7 | Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,626 | 71 | 95% | $15,454 | $19,634 |
| 8 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,292 | 144 | 95% | $17,613 | $14,400 |
| 9 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $59,297 | 86 | 92% | $12,032 | $12,000 |
| 10 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $59,026 | 46 | 91% | $20,918 | $19,500 |
| 11 | Hamilton College Clinton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,807 | 27 | 91% | $20,680 | $12,500 |
| 12 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,466 | 155 | 96% | $27,025 | $15,000 |
| 13 | Barnard College New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,298 | 58 | 93% | $24,675 | $19,000 |
| 14 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,111 | 68 | 88% | $44,094 | $21,750 |
| 15 | Williams College Williamstown, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,817 | 26 | 94% | $10,747 | $10,750 |
| 16 | Colgate University Hamilton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,064 | 81 | 91% | $22,903 | $16,250 |
| 17 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,022 | 105 | 96% | $13,333 | $18,500 |
| 18 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,316 | 145 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 19 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,247 | 254 | 95% | $22,242 | $16,500 |
| 20 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,970 | 120 | 97% | $16,260 | $14,016 |
| 21 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,737 | 105 | 95% | $14,799 | $16,834 |
| 22 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,728 | 44 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 23 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,634 | 52 | 96% | $14,644 | $14,481 |
| 24 | Colby College Waterville, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,353 | 50 | 89% | $15,696 | $27,000 |
| 25 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,632 | 45 | 88% | $26,912 | $21,150 |
Specializations within Political Science and Government
4 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 45.10 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Political Science and GovernmentCIP 45.100139,456 graduates / yr1,171 institutions54 states
- Political Science and GovernmentCIP 45.10991,060 graduates / yr55 institutions27 states
- American Government and Politics (United States)CIP 45.1002298 graduates / yr28 institutions20 states
- Political EconomyCIP 45.1004275 graduates / yr21 institutions15 states
Show all 5 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Canadian Government and Politics45.1003
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 54 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3094, Political Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Political Science and Government program can pursue various careers in academia, government, or non-profit organizations. The job outlook for this field shows a decline of 3.1%, with approximately 500 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $139,380, and a master's degree is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Political Science and Government
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.10 (Political Science and Government) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3011 | Economists |
| 19-3094 | Political Scientistsprimary |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1065 | Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Political Science and Government programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Teach political science.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Advise political science students.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
Common questions
What can I do with a degree in Political Science and Government?+
Graduates can work in government, academia, or non-profit organizations, focusing on policy analysis, research, or teaching.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and research methodologies.
Is a master's degree necessary for a career in this field?+
Yes, a master's degree is typically required for advanced positions in political science.
What is the job outlook for Political Science graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with about 500 openings annually.
How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn?+
Political Science and Government graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,556, College Scorecard (2019); the Political Scientists occupation pays about $142,510 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Political Science and Government?+
Political Science and Government maps to CIP 45.10 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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