Best Colleges for Political Science and Government

Political Science and Government graduates enter diverse career paths in public service, law, advocacy, and business, earning an average of $34,470 annually after graduation. With 533 schools offering this major, students should prioritize programs that provide strong internship networks, particularly in government agencies or political organizations. Look for curricula that balance theoretical foundations with practical experience through mock trials, campaign simulations, or policy research projects. Faculty connections to local and national political institutions can open doors to valuable networking opportunities. Consider programs offering specialized tracks in areas like international relations, public administration, or pre-law preparation to align with your career goals.

Schools Ranked

$52,123

Avg. Program Earnings

88.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Dartmouth College Hanover, New Hampshire	$62,192	96.0%	private-nonprofit
2	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$57,017	97.3%	private-nonprofit
3	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$56,415	95.0%	private-nonprofit
4	Duke University Durham, North Carolina	$54,463	95.8%	private-nonprofit
5	American Public University System Charles Town, West Virginia	$54,109	53.2%	private-forprofit
6	Hamilton College Clinton, New York	$53,894	91.3%	private-nonprofit
7	Colgate University Hamilton, New York	$53,358	90.5%	private-nonprofit
8	Brown University Providence, Rhode Island	$53,108	95.9%	private-nonprofit
9	Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	$52,941	86.2%	private-nonprofit
10	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$52,941	83.3%	private-nonprofit
11	Georgetown University Washington, District of Columbia	$52,524	94.3%	private-nonprofit
12	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$52,107	95.1%	private-nonprofit
13	Williams College Williamstown, Massachusetts	$51,482	96.6%	private-nonprofit
14	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$50,677	96.8%	private-nonprofit
15	Bowdoin College Brunswick, Maine	$50,231	95.6%	private-nonprofit
16	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, Maryland	$50,231	29.6%	public
17	Bryant University Smithfield, Rhode Island	$50,231	80.6%	private-nonprofit
18	Rice University Houston, Texas	$50,231	95.7%	private-nonprofit
19	Northeastern University Oakland Oakland, California	$49,744		private-nonprofit
20	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$49,744	90.4%	private-nonprofit
21	Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, Massachusetts	$49,744		private-nonprofit
22	Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina	$49,618	90.9%	private-nonprofit
23	Yale University New Haven, Connecticut	$48,823	96.3%	private-nonprofit
24	New York University New York, New York	$48,823	88.5%	private-nonprofit
25	Amherst College Amherst, Massachusetts	$48,432	93.4%	private-nonprofit