by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science And Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their political science and government graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the early-career earnings of their political science and government graduates.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Where you study political science and government affects what graduates go on to earn. To help, we created our Highest Paid Political Science And Government Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose political science and government degrees pay off the most.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid Political Science And Government Graduates list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Below are the schools whose political science and government graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 for political science and government graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Johns Hopkins University make a median of around $126,228 per year.
George Washington University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $106,800.
University Of Florida produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Florida is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,442.
Students chasing top earnings in political science and government will find them at American Public University System, which ranked #4. American Public University System is a private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $82,713 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Georgetown University earned it the #5 place for political science and government. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,347.
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George Mason University earned the #6 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $71,787 a year early in their careers.
American University came in at #7 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of American University earn a median of about $85,653 a year early in their careers.
James Madison University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $68,741 annually.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #9 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of about $70,674 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #10 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,790.
Western Illinois University came in at #11 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of about $60,990 a year early in their careers.
Regent University came in at #12 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Regent University earn a median of about $51,084 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,187.
St Johns University New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from St Johns University New York make a median of around $78,918 per year.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $54,270 a year early in their careers.
Idaho State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Idaho State University make a median of around $53,359 per year.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #17 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of about $52,565 a year early in their careers.
Georgia State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Georgia State University typically earn about $52,547 annually.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #19 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $48,847 annually.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #20 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Rutgers University Newark make a median of around $48,847 per year.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries political science and government graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 20 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
