Best institutions to study Political Science and Government
Any instructional program in political science and government not listed above.
55 U.S. institutions graduated 1,060 Political Science and Government students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.1099, 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
Any instructional program in political science and government not listed above.
See also: 30.4601 - History and Political Science., 30.5101 - Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Political Science and Government program offers students an in-depth understanding of political systems, government policies, and the theoretical frameworks that shape political behavior. This program is designed for those interested in exploring the complexities of governance and public policy, preparing them for various roles in the field of social sciences.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in law, government, history, and communications, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to analyze political systems and contribute to public discourse.
Credentials awarded
What Political Science and Government graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree878 graduates / yr · 41 institutions83%
- Master's degree79 graduates / yr · 7 institutions7.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year77 graduates / yr · 5 institutions7.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship15 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years10 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Political Science and Government completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 924 |
| 2013 | 940 |
| 2014 | 944 |
| 2015 | 932 |
| 2016 | 883 |
| 2017 | 926 |
| 2018 | 966 |
| 2019 | 975 |
| 2020 | 1,061 |
| 2021 | 947 |
| 2022 | 972 |
| 2023 | 991 |
| 2024 | 986 |
| 2025 | 1,060 |
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 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor's | 175 | 68% | — | $45,846 |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 143 | 43% | $21,535 | $37,704 |
| 3 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 67 | 81% | $13,712 | $47,020 |
| 4 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 66 | 85% | — | $41,246 |
| 5 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 62 | 86% | — | $36,208 |
| 6 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 59 | 86% | — | $33,345 |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 54 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 8 | Brandeis University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 86% | $25,074 | $43,770 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 38 | 91% | $18,925 | $52,516 |
| 10 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 37 | 76% | — | $30,060 |
| 11 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 37 | 80% | $33,867 | $43,238 |
| 12 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 65% | — | $38,753 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 68% | — | $42,481 |
| 14 | Xavier University Cincinnati, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 28 | 69% | $31,119 | $41,710 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 90% | — | $42,063 |
| 16 | McDaniel College Westminster, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 63% | $18,988 | — |
| 17 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 15 | 75% | — | $37,360 |
| 18 | Ripon College Ripon, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 63% | $19,267 | — |
| 19 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster's | 9 | 89% | — | $42,688 |
| 20 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 46% | $18,564 | — |
| 22 | Whitman College Walla Walla, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 81% | $28,508 | $27,689 |
| 23 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 58% | — | $38,744 |
| 24 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicDoctoral | 6 | 67% | — | $29,442 |
| 25 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicDoctoral | 5 | 82% | — | $32,228 |
| 26 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicMaster's | 5 | 52% | — | $26,574 |
| 27 | Lafayette College Easton, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 88% | $20,396 | $48,112 |
| 28 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 75% | $30,225 | $48,034 |
| 29 | Eastern Oregon University La Grande, ORPublicBachelor's | 4 | 43% | — | — |
| 30 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 92% | $18,174 | $40,449 |
| 31 | Fisk University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 30% | $27,814 | — |
| 32 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 67% | $21,351 | — |
| 33 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 71% | $29,246 | — |
| 34 | LeTourneau University Longview, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 59% | $24,186 | — |
| 35 | Bethany College Bethany, WVPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 47% | $15,783 | — |
| 36 | University of Charleston Charleston, WVPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 46% | $21,939 | — |
| 37 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoral | 2 | 68% | — | $36,193 |
| 38 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 68% | — | $37,875 |
| 39 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 40 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 41 | Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 26% | $16,443 | — |
| 42 | Pitzer College Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 83% | $23,248 | — |
| 43 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster's | 1 | 83% | — | $37,009 |
| 44 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 1 | 81% | — | $31,972 |
| 45 | Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 71% | $24,681 | — |
| 46 | Georgetown College Georgetown, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 49% | $12,666 | — |
| 47 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 98% | $15,013 | $61,543 |
| 48 | Ashland University Ashland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 61% | $21,785 | $44,455 |
| 49 | Capital University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 60% | $22,920 | $39,807 |
| 50 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University Bartlesville, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 35% | $26,671 | — |
* 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 27 states
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, educators, and managers. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 3.1%, there are approximately 500 annual openings in the field, with a median wage of $139,380 for those typically holding a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.1099
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 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 45.100139,456 graduates / yr1,171 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 degree, Master's degree, or a shorter award.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop skills in critical thinking, writing, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a political scientist, secondary school teacher, or postsecondary educator.
What is the job outlook for political science graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with a median wage of $139,380.
What is the CIP code for Political Science and Government?+
Political Science and Government is CIP 45.1099 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: Any instructional program in political science and government not listed above.
How many institutions offer Political Science and Government programs?+
55 U.S. institutions reported Political Science and Government graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 27 states, awarding 1,060 credentials in the year. That is 2.6% 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 $39,807 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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