Best institutions to study American Government and Politics (United States)
A program that focuses on the systematic study of United States political institutions and behavior.
28 U.S. institutions graduated 298 American Government and Politics (United States) students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.1002, a specialization of Political Science and Government (CIP 45.10), and leads most directly to the Political Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3094).
About American Government and Politics (United States) programs
A program that focuses on the systematic study of United States political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in American political theory, political parties and interest groups, state and local governments, Constitutional law, federalism and national institutions, executive and legislative politics, judicial politics, popular attitudes and media influences, political research methods, and applications to the study of specific issues and institutions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The American Government and Politics (United States) program, part of the Political Science and Government field, offers students an in-depth exploration of U.S. political institutions and behaviors. This program is designed for those interested in understanding the complexities of American politics, including the roles of political parties, interest groups, and the impact of media on public attitudes.
Students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and research methodologies. Coursework covers American political theory, Constitutional law, and the dynamics of federalism, equipping graduates with a comprehensive understanding of the political landscape.
Credentials awarded
What American Government and Politics (United States) graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree148 graduates / yr · 19 institutions50%
- Master's degree103 graduates / yr · 2 institutions35%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.4%
- Associate's degree10 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.4%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
American Government and Politics (United States) completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 390 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 394 |
| 2015 | 361 |
| 2016 | 365 |
| 2017 | 318 |
| 2018 | 357 |
| 2019 | 324 |
| 2020 | 367 |
| 2021 | 351 |
| 2022 | 349 |
| 2023 | 341 |
| 2024 | 278 |
| 2025 | 298 |
Top 28 institutions for American Government and Politics (United States), ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 105 | 84% | $29,789 | $51,537 |
| 2 | University of Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor's | 22 | 38% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor's | 21 | 75% | — | $37,722 |
| 4 | Willamette University Salem, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 71% | $20,345 | $35,162 |
| 5 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 16 | 87% | — | — |
| 6 | Misericordia University Dallas, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 72% | $22,477 | $37,560 |
| 7 | Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 40% | $32,198 | — |
| 8 | Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OKPublicAssociate's | 10 | 27% | — | — |
| 9 | Drake University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 74% | $28,855 | — |
| 10 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicMaster's | 7 | 49% | — | $34,499 |
| 11 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 47% | — | $33,712 |
| 12 | Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 51% | $19,619 | — |
| 13 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 62% | — | $34,337 |
| 14 | University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown Johnstown, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 56% | — | $35,390 |
| 15 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 51% | — | $27,600 |
| 16 | Salem State University Salem, MAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 50% | — | — |
| 17 | Evangel University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 65% | $17,881 | — |
| 18 | Lenoir - Rhyne University Hickory, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 48% | $23,920 | — |
| 19 | Thomas College Waterville, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 54% | $18,192 | — |
| 20 | Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 47% | $22,639 | — |
| 21 | Adams State University Alamosa, COPublicBachelor's | 2 | 39% | — | — |
| 22 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 58% | — | $38,744 |
| 23 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 42% | — | — |
| 24 | Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 19% | $20,754 | — |
| 25 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 62% | $20,686 | — |
| 26 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 79% | $27,724 | $44,617 |
| 27 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 80% | $24,886 | $30,502 |
| 28 | Ohio Christian University Circleville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 34% | $20,812 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Political Science and Government field (CIP 45.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where American Government and Politics (United States) graduates come from. Each state links to all Political Science and Government programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 2 | 106 | George Washington University105 / yr |
| Missouri | 4 | 28 | University of Missouri - Columbia21 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 22 | University of Baltimore22 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 21 | Willamette University21 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 20 | Misericordia University14 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 2 | 17 | Oklahoma City Community College10 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 16 | United States Military Academy16 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 13 | Arizona Christian University13 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 11 | University of Massachusetts - Boston7 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 7 | Lenoir - Rhyne University4 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 7 | Drake University7 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 7 | University of Nebraska at Omaha7 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 7 | South Dakota State University7 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 5 | University of Memphis5 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 3 | Thomas College3 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 2 | Adams State University2 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | Western Michigan University2 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Wayland Baptist University2 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | Azusa Pacific University1 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Ohio Christian University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3094, Political Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as political scientists, secondary school teachers, or political science educators at the postsecondary level. Although the job outlook for political scientists shows a decline of 3.1%, there are approximately 500 annual openings, with a median wage of $139,380, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.1002
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Political Scientistsprimary SOC 19-3094 | $142,080 | -3.1% Decline | ~500 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1065 | $98,070 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in American Government and Politics (United States) programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Political Science and Government specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Political Science and Government (CIP 45.10).
- Political Science and GovernmentCIP 45.100139,456 graduates / yr1,171 institutions
- Political Science and GovernmentCIP 45.10991,060 graduates / yr55 institutions
- Political EconomyCIP 45.1004275 graduates / yr21 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a political scientist, teacher, or in various management roles.
What is the job outlook for political scientists?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with about 500 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for American Government and Politics (United States)?+
American Government and Politics (United States) is CIP 45.1002 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Political Science and Government (CIP 45.10). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the systematic study of United States political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in American political theory, political parties and interest groups, state and local governments, Constitutional law, federalism and national institutions, executive and legislative politics, judicial politics, popular attitudes and media influences, political research methods, and applications to the study of specific issues and institutions.
How many institutions offer American Government and Politics (United States) programs?+
28 U.S. institutions reported American Government and Politics (United States) graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 298 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Political Science and Government graduates.
How much do American Government and Politics (United States) graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Political Scientists occupation, which American Government and Politics (United States) most directly leads to, pays a median of $142,080 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Political Science and Government field report median earnings of $35,390 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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