Best Colleges for Political Science and Government 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Political Science and Government Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yale University New Haven, CT | $98,467 | $64,700 | 5% | 6,811 |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA | $89,043 | $59,076 | 3% | 7,755 |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | $86,353 | $66,104 | 6% | 10,768 |
| 4 | Colgate University Hamilton, NY | $85,816 | $67,024 | 12% | 3,122 |
| 5 | Duke University Durham, NC | $84,950 | $65,805 | 7% | 6,417 |
| 6 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH | $84,898 | $65,739 | 6% | 4,367 |
| 7 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA | $80,009 | $62,412 | 7% | 1,627 |
| 8 | Williams College Williamstown, MA | $79,779 | $64,860 | 10% | 2,060 |
| 9 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX | $79,400 | $64,460 | 61% | 7,106 |
| 10 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY | $79,220 | $69,045 | 4% | 8,899 |
| 11 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL | $78,986 | $66,939 | 5% | 7,540 |
| 12 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA | $75,918 | $62,180 | 29% | 5,803 |
| 13 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | $75,464 | $62,484 | 4% | 7,841 |
| 14 | Georgetown University Washington, DC | $74,225 | $65,081 | 13% | 7,462 |
| 15 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV | $73,582 | $8,400 | N/A | 38,976 |
| 16 | George Washington University Washington, DC | $72,844 | $64,990 | 44% | 10,848 |
| 17 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | $72,701 | $63,946 | 6% | 7,143 |
| 18 | Brown University Providence, RI | $72,438 | $68,230 | 5% | 7,273 |
| 19 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | $72,438 | $66,014 | 8% | 15,935 |
| 20 | Villanova University Villanova, PA | $72,272 | $64,701 | 25% | 7,005 |
Political Science is the study of government systems, political behavior, public policy, international relations, and political theory. Students analyze how power is distributed and exercised at local, national, and international levels, developing skills in research, critical analysis, argumentation, and writing. The major is one of the most common pathways into law school, graduate study in public policy, and careers in government and diplomacy.
Career paths for political science graduates are wide-ranging. Many enter law (political science is among the top undergraduate majors for law school applicants), public administration, government affairs, lobbying, campaign management, policy research, journalism, and international development. Starting salaries vary considerably by employer: federal government positions average $55,000–$75,000 for entry-level, while political consultants and policy analysts at think tanks or consulting firms can earn more. Law school graduates in government-related practice earn $80,000–$150,000 depending on sector.
When evaluating political science programs, look for access to internship opportunities in Washington D.C., state capitals, or international organizations, which provide direct exposure to government and policy careers. Programs affiliated with strong law schools or policy institutes offer pipeline advantages. Research opportunities, model UN or moot court participation, and faculty with active policy or government experience add meaningful value. The earnings data on this page provides an objective school-level comparison using verified graduate outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
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What should I look for in a Political Science program?
Look for programs with strong internship pipelines to Washington D.C. or state capitals, faculty with government and policy experience, and active pre-law advising if you plan to attend law school. Research opportunities, model UN programs, and ties to policy institutes or think tanks signal a program that goes beyond classroom theory to build real career networks.
What careers can I pursue with a Political Science degree?
Political science graduates enter law, government, public policy, political consulting, campaign management, journalism, lobbying, international development, and diplomacy. The degree is one of the most common foundations for law school, and graduates also work for government agencies, NGOs, think tanks, corporations, and media organizations.
How much do Political Science graduates earn?
Median earnings for political science bachelor's graduates are around $50,000–$65,000. Lawyers with political science backgrounds earn $80,000–$200,000 depending on practice area and sector. Federal government roles range from $55,000 to $90,000 for mid-career professionals. The earnings data on this page reflects verified bachelor's-level graduate outcomes from the College Scorecard.