Best institutions to study Political Science and Government
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior.
1,171 U.S. institutions graduated 39,456 Political Science and Government students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.1001, a specialization of Political Science and Government (CIP 45.10), and leads most directly to the Political Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3094).
About Political Science and Government programs
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies of specific political institutions and processes.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Political Science and Government program offers a comprehensive exploration of political institutions and behavior. This general program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of governance, political theory, and the dynamics of political parties and public opinion. It prepares graduates for various roles in the field of social sciences.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, writing, and active listening. Coursework typically covers political philosophy, comparative politics, and research methods, equipping students with a robust understanding of law, government, and historical context.
Credentials awarded
What Political Science and Government graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree34,357 graduates / yr · 993 institutions87%
- Associate's degree2,417 graduates / yr · 172 institutions6.1%
- Master's degree1,587 graduates / yr · 183 institutions4.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship688 graduates / yr · 111 institutions1.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year318 graduates / yr · 16 institutions0.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate58 graduates / yr · 12 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate22 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Political Science and Government completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 42,449 |
| 2013 | 41,140 |
| 2014 | 40,204 |
| 2015 | 38,249 |
| 2016 | 36,929 |
| 2017 | 37,331 |
| 2018 | 38,404 |
| 2019 | 40,536 |
| 2020 | 41,806 |
| 2021 | 42,837 |
| 2022 | 41,074 |
| 2023 | 40,307 |
| 2024 | 39,359 |
| 2025 | 39,456 |
Top 50 institutions for Political Science and Government, 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 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 705 | 93% | — | $34,392 |
| 2 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 506 | 86% | — | $34,745 |
| 3 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 403 | 93% | — | $45,418 |
| 4 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 385 | 78% | — | $35,937 |
| 5 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 339 | 86% | — | $33,345 |
| 6 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 335 | 87% | — | $31,976 |
| 7 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 331 | 91% | — | $31,574 |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoral | 331 | 90% | — | $42,063 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 315 | 68% | — | $42,481 |
| 10 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 312 | 84% | $29,789 | $51,537 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 312 | 89% | — | $43,281 |
| 12 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoral | 306 | 75% | $30,225 | $48,034 |
| 13 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 300 | 74% | — | $26,983 |
| 14 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 291 | 91% | — | $41,200 |
| 15 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 288 | 96% | $15,315 | $61,077 |
| 16 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 279 | 84% | — | $41,817 |
| 17 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 276 | 89% | — | $42,688 |
| 18 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 272 | 86% | — | $36,208 |
| 19 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 261 | 85% | — | $35,172 |
| 20 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 250 | 90% | — | $39,842 |
| 21 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 249 | 83% | — | $39,404 |
| 22 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 248 | 88% | — | $35,977 |
| 23 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 243 | 74% | — | $39,954 |
| 24 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 236 | 93% | — | $39,702 |
| 25 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 234 | 84% | — | $39,723 |
| 26 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 221 | 65% | — | $36,413 |
| 27 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 220 | 69% | — | $30,771 |
| 28 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 217 | 85% | — | $41,246 |
| 29 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 212 | 86% | — | $42,114 |
| 30 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 211 | 73% | — | $32,699 |
| 31 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 211 | 36% | — | — |
| 32 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 208 | 79% | — | $33,157 |
| 33 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 207 | 83% | — | $37,009 |
| 34 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 203 | 76% | — | $38,060 |
| 35 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 203 | 98% | $15,013 | $61,543 |
| 36 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 199 | 85% | — | $40,208 |
| 37 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 197 | 76% | — | $30,060 |
| 38 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 197 | 95% | $22,242 | $55,247 |
| 39 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 196 | 88% | $29,023 | $50,783 |
| 40 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 193 | 53% | — | $29,275 |
| 41 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 189 | 70% | $48,194 | $31,897 |
| 42 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster's | 187 | 75% | — | $37,722 |
| 43 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor's | 186 | 77% | — | $34,965 |
| 44 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 181 | 57% | — | $32,014 |
| 45 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 179 | 0% | — | $42,481 |
| 46 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 177 | 74% | — | $29,728 |
| 47 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 173 | 89% | $21,956 | $45,021 |
| 48 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 172 | 85% | — | $38,321 |
| 49 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 171 | 72% | — | $36,022 |
| 50 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 165 | 86% | — | $41,201 |
* 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 54 states & territories
Where Political Science and Government graduates come from. Each state links to all Political Science and Government programs offered there.
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 careers as political scientists, secondary school teachers, or social science research assistants. The job outlook for political scientists indicates a decline of 3.1%, with approximately 500 annual openings and a median wage of $139,380, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.1001
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 |
Social Science Research Assistants SOC 19-4061 | $61,990 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~5,200 | 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 Political Science and Government 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 45.10991,060 graduates / yr55 institutions
- American Government and Politics (United States)CIP 45.1002298 graduates / yr28 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, Associate's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Political Science and Government.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, active listening, and research methods.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a political scientist, teacher, or research assistant, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for political scientists?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with around 500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Political Science and Government?+
Political Science and Government is CIP 45.1001 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 general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies of specific political institutions and processes.
How many institutions offer Political Science and Government programs?+
1,171 U.S. institutions reported Political Science and Government graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 54 states & territories, awarding 39,456 credentials in the year. That is 96.0% of all Political Science and Government graduates.
How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Political Scientists occupation, which Political Science and Government 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 $35,492 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Political Science and Government graduates, so its figures match the Political Science and Government program page.
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