Political Science and Government programs

CIP 4510 · Social Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

561 institutions report graduate earnings for Political Science and Government programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $62,372 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35× and 85% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 7 of the 581 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.

National ranking

#	Institution	Earn 4yr	% > threshold	Median debt	Debt/earn	Earnings premium	2 of 3 yrs
1	Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$121,729 n=16	100% 5yr	$10,982	0.09×	Above +190%	Clears 2/2
2	Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Master's	$118,381 n=103	95% 5yr	$41,000	0.35×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
3	Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Grad cert	$114,020 n=17	80% 1yr	—	—	Above +50%	—
4	George Washington UniversityDC · Master's	$106,674 n=167	95% 5yr	$61,310	0.57×	Above +24%	Clears 2/2
5	Dartmouth CollegeNH · Bachelor's	$106,153 n=127	62%	$17,500	0.17×	Above +139%	Clears 2/2
6	University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Doctoral	$105,840 n=16	—	—	—	Above +39%	—
7	University of California-San DiegoCA · Doctoral	$104,566 n=16	—	—	—	Above +39%	—
8	Vanderbilt UniversityTN · Bachelor's	$102,789 n=56	86% 5yr	$14,000	0.14×	Above +194%	Clears 2/2
9	Davidson CollegeNC · UG cert	$101,438 n=44	89% 5yr	$19,500	0.19×	Above +196%	Clears 2/2
10	Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$100,245 n=159	75%	$21,500	0.21×	Above +164%	Clears 2/2
11	American UniversityDC · Master's	$98,567 n=18	100% 1yr	—	—	Above +14%	—
12	Colby CollegeME · Bachelor's	$96,621 n=24	91% 5yr	$27,000	0.28×	Above +164%	—
13	Harvard UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$95,838 n=56	92% 5yr	—	—	Above +120%	Clears 2/2
14	Cornell UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$95,391 n=73	93% 5yr	$14,400	0.15×	Above +151%	Clears 2/2
15	Washington and Lee UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$95,190 n=33	90% 5yr	$25,580	0.27×	Above +150%	Clears 2/2
16	University of Notre DameIN · Bachelor's	$94,297 n=96	84%	$19,000	0.20×	Above +152%	Clears 2/2
17	Trinity CollegeCT · Bachelor's	$94,097 n=47	100% 5yr	$25,000	0.27×	Above +123%	—
18	Bucknell UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$94,028 n=44	94% 5yr	$25,500	0.27×	Above +149%	Clears 2/2
19	Emory UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$94,001 n=60	70%	$17,500	0.19×	Above +166%	Clears 2/2
20	Santa Clara UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$93,518 n=40	82% 5yr	$20,500	0.22×	Above +143%	Clears 2/2
21	University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$93,033 n=64	91% 5yr	$14,250	0.15×	Above +147%	Clears 2/2
22	Washington University in St LouisMO · Bachelor's	$90,778 n=20	—	$18,500	0.20×	Above +154%	—
23	Yale UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$90,764 n=84	91% 5yr	$14,749	0.16×	Above +115%	Clears 2/2
24	Lehigh UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$90,302 n=17	96% 5yr	$21,150	0.23×	Above +140%	Clears 2/2
25	Elon UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$89,685 n=31	81% 5yr	$20,500	0.23×	Above +161%	Clears 2/2
26	Bowdoin CollegeME · Bachelor's	$89,253 n=53	87% 5yr	$19,634	0.22×	Above +144%	Clears 2/2
27	Princeton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$88,576 n=32	80% 5yr	—	—	Above +122%	—
28	Duke UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$88,459 n=46	89% 5yr	$14,016	0.16×	Above +158%	Clears 2/2
29	Williams CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$88,339 n=43	88% 5yr	$10,750	0.12×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
30	College of the Holy CrossMA · Bachelor's	$88,088 n=79	87% 5yr	$27,000	0.31×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
31	Hamilton CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$88,019 n=20	96% 5yr	$12,500	0.14×	Above +131%	Clears 2/2
32	Lafayette CollegePA · Bachelor's	$87,904 n=46	94% 5yr	$13,640	0.15×	Above +133%	Clears 2/2
33	University of ChicagoIL · Bachelor's	$87,869 n=51	88% 5yr	$18,500	0.21×	Above +133%	Clears 2/2
34	Rice UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$87,804 n=18	96% 5yr	$11,250	0.13×	Above +146%	Clears 2/2
35	University of FloridaFL · Master's	$86,694 n=18	80% 5yr	—	—	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
36	Boston CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$86,537 n=134	75%	$18,000	0.21×	Above +99%	Clears 2/2
37	James Madison UniversityVA · Master's	$86,137 n=16	—	—	—	Above +21%	—
38	Wake Forest UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$85,668 n=63	93% 5yr	$22,500	0.26×	Above +150%	Clears 2/2
39	Brown UniversityRI · Bachelor's	$85,388 n=42	93% 5yr	$14,481	0.17×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
40	Fairfield UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$83,709 n=30	83% 5yr	$27,000	0.32×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
41	Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$83,209 n=83	87% 5yr	$10,646	0.13×	Above +109%	Clears 2/2
42	Colgate UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$83,188 n=38	97% 5yr	$16,250	0.20×	Above +119%	Clears 2/2
43	Villanova UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$83,179 n=113	95% 5yr	$25,620	0.31×	Above +121%	Clears 2/2
44	University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Bachelor's	$82,263 n=67	82% 5yr	$19,910	0.24×	Above +96%	Clears 2/2
45	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCA · Bachelor's	$81,843 n=71	96% 5yr	$17,831	0.22×	Above +113%	Clears 2/2
46	Loyola University MarylandMD · Bachelor's	$81,575 n=52	84% 5yr	$27,000	0.33×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
47	American Public University SystemWV · Bachelor's	$81,056 n=57	98% 5yr	$21,728	0.27×	Above +131%	Clears 2/2
48	American UniversityDC · UG cert	$81,004 n=39	95% 5yr	$23,250	0.29×	Above +124%	Clears 2/2
49	New York UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$80,957 n=126	88%	$20,500	0.25×	Above +113%	Clears 2/2
50	Saint Anselm CollegeNH · Bachelor's	$80,763 n=31	72% 1yr	$27,000	0.33×	Above +82%	—
51	Bates CollegeME · Bachelor's	$80,714 n=37	97% 5yr	$11,532	0.14×	Above +121%	Clears 2/2
52	Georgetown UniversityDC · Master's	$79,929 n=22	90% 1yr	$65,578	0.82×	Below -7%	—
53	Hobart William Smith CollegesNY · Bachelor's	$79,778 n=42	58% 1yr	$27,000	0.34×	Above +110%	—
54	George Washington UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$79,692 n=242	64%	$21,723	0.27×	Above +121%	Clears 2/2
55	Georgetown UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$79,502 n=168	98%	$15,384	0.19×	Above +120%	Clears 2/2
56	DePauw UniversityIN · Bachelor's	$79,117 n=20	—	$27,000	0.34×	Above +111%	Clears 2/2
57	Bryant UniversityRI · Bachelor's	$78,579 n=17	91% 5yr	$23,250	0.30×	Above +87%	Clears 2/2
58	University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Bachelor's	$78,310 n=82	95% 5yr	$16,049	0.20×	Above +106%	Clears 2/2
59	Tufts UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$78,180 n=54	93% 5yr	$17,850	0.23×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
60	Barnard CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$77,805 n=26	100% 5yr	$18,250	0.23×	Above +105%	—
61	University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's	$77,480 n=267	70%	$17,965	0.23×	Above +121%	Clears 2/2
62	Middlebury CollegeVT · Bachelor's	$77,444 n=25	76% 1yr	$18,297	0.24×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
63	Florida State UniversityFL · Master's	$76,608 n=33	89% 5yr	$24,550	0.32×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
64	Rollins CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$76,600 n=17	—	$25,362	0.33×	Above +127%	—
65	Gettysburg CollegePA · Bachelor's	$76,597 n=68	90% 5yr	$26,749	0.35×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
66	Case Western Reserve UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$76,451 n=17	86% 5yr	$22,079	0.29×	Above +108%	Clears 2/2
67	University of Illinois SpringfieldIL · Master's	$76,243 n=20	86% 1yr	$30,000	0.39×	Above +11%	—
68	Mercyhurst UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$76,154 n=20	—	$24,500	0.32×	Above +102%	—
69	Stonehill CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$76,123 n=35	92% 5yr	$25,000	0.33×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
70	The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's	$75,988 n=315	64%	$19,500	0.26×	Above +113%	Clears 2/2
71	Pepperdine UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$75,954 n=29	87% 5yr	$23,625	0.31×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
72	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$75,687 n=186	92% 5yr	$23,500	0.31×	Above +99%	Clears 2/2
73	Providence CollegeRI · Bachelor's	$75,637 n=53	96% 5yr	$27,000	0.36×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
74	St Lawrence UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$75,486 n=52	92% 5yr	$27,000	0.36×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
75	Texas Christian UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$75,419 n=80	91% 5yr	$22,062	0.29×	Above +111%	Clears 2/2
76	Miami University-OxfordOH · Bachelor's	$75,374 n=149	93% 5yr	$25,000	0.33×	Above +105%	Clears 2/2
77	Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$75,239 n=171	90% 5yr	$26,091	0.35×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
78	University of California-BerkeleyCA · Bachelor's	$75,128 n=319	49%	$13,000	0.17×	Above +95%	Clears 2/2
79	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$75,090 n=122	72%	$12,000	0.16×	Above +95%	Clears 2/2
80	Union CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$75,005 n=23	87% 5yr	$25,389	0.34×	Above +97%	Clears 2/2
81	Franklin and Marshall CollegePA · Bachelor's	$74,822 n=52	89% 5yr	$19,000	0.25×	Above +99%	Clears 2/2
82	American Public University SystemWV · Master's	$74,802 n=30	95% 5yr	$37,101	0.50×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
83	Saint Mary's CollegeIN · Bachelor's	$74,623 n=20	—	$27,000	0.36×	Above +99%	—
84	Furman UniversitySC · Bachelor's	$74,476 n=52	82% 5yr	$27,000	0.36×	Above +116%	Clears 2/2
85	University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's	$74,437 n=204	76%	$18,442	0.25×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
86	Fordham UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$74,419 n=131	89% 5yr	$23,250	0.31×	Above +96%	Clears 2/2
87	Marist UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$74,308 n=32	84% 5yr	$21,199	0.28×	Above +95%	Clears 2/2
88	Gonzaga UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$74,303 n=41	90% 5yr	$21,494	0.29×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
89	University of California-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's	$74,202 n=504	62%	$15,000	0.20×	Above +93%	Clears 2/2
90	Connecticut CollegeCT · Bachelor's	$74,190 n=28	95% 5yr	$24,425	0.33×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
91	George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$74,125 n=196	53%	$20,449	0.28×	Above +95%	Clears 2/2
92	Wabash CollegeIN · Bachelor's	$74,061 n=29	82% 5yr	$27,000	0.36×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
93	Brandeis UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$74,018 n=56	96% 5yr	$23,333	0.32×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
94	Marquette UniversityWI · Bachelor's	$74,008 n=68	90% 5yr	$21,500	0.29×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
95	The Catholic University of AmericaDC · Bachelor's	$73,917 n=75	90% 5yr	$25,000	0.34×	Above +105%	Clears 2/2
96	Quinnipiac UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$73,833 n=16	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.37×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
97	Claremont McKenna CollegeCA · Bachelor's	$73,826 n=20	—	—	—	Above +92%	—
98	American UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$73,604 n=156	92% 5yr	$23,250	0.32×	Above +104%	Clears 2/2
99	Northeastern UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$73,539 n=118	95% 5yr	$21,625	0.29×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
100	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Bachelor's	$73,539 n=118	95% 5yr	$21,625	0.29×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
101	Suffolk UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$73,484 n=59	94% 5yr	$26,000	0.35×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
102	James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$73,326 n=72	89% 5yr	$19,286	0.26×	Above +93%	Clears 2/2
103	Northwestern UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$73,231 n=78	90% 5yr	$16,834	0.23×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
104	Binghamton UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$73,044 n=126	89% 5yr	$19,500	0.27×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
105	Wellesley CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$72,830 n=42	79% 5yr	$11,820	0.16×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
106	The University of the SouthTN · Bachelor's	$72,682 n=23	—	$24,267	0.33×	Above +108%	Clears 2/2
107	High Point UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$72,564 n=19	—	—	—	Above +112%	—
108	University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Bachelor's	$72,487 n=208	100%	$13,290	0.18×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
109	University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's	$72,487 n=208	100%	$13,290	0.18×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
110	University of Washington-Tacoma CampusWA · Bachelor's	$72,487 n=208	100%	$13,290	0.18×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
111	Occidental CollegeCA · Bachelor's	$72,441 n=23	80% 5yr	$25,700	0.35×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
112	St. Mary's College of MarylandMD · Bachelor's	$72,397 n=29	88% 5yr	$25,000	0.34×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
113	Fort Hays State UniversityKS · Bachelor's	$72,384 n=27	—	$26,035	0.36×	Above +99%	—
114	Loyola Marymount UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$72,375 n=103	92% 5yr	$20,500	0.28×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
115	University of San FranciscoCA · Bachelor's	$72,263 n=31	89% 5yr	$23,000	0.32×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
116	William & MaryVA · Bachelor's	$72,173 n=123	84%	$19,500	0.27×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
117	Rhodes CollegeTN · Bachelor's	$72,062 n=28	100% 5yr	$26,500	0.37×	Above +106%	Clears 2/2
118	University of ScrantonPA · Bachelor's	$72,038 n=27	100% 5yr	$25,409	0.35×	Above +91%	Clears 2/2
119	University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Bachelor's	$72,001 n=413	28%	$14,569	0.20×	Above +110%	Clears 2/2
120	Norwich UniversityVT · Bachelor's	$71,791 n=26	91% 5yr	$25,818	0.36×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
121	Benedictine UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$71,749 n=18	—	—	—	Above +90%	—
122	Roanoke CollegeVA · Bachelor's	$71,604 n=20	—	$27,000	0.38×	Above +88%	—
123	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's	$71,601 n=63	90% 5yr	$19,500	0.27×	Above +91%	Clears 2/2
124	Tulane University of LouisianaLA · Bachelor's	$71,160 n=60	85% 5yr	$19,500	0.27×	Above +104%	Clears 2/2
125	Morehouse CollegeGA · Bachelor's	$71,139 n=27	96% 5yr	$25,000	0.35×	Above +102%	Clears 2/2
126	Randolph-Macon CollegeVA · Bachelor's	$71,111 n=37	91% 5yr	$27,000	0.38×	Above +87%	Clears 2/2
127	California State University-East BayCA · Bachelor's	$71,022 n=35	88% 5yr	$18,322	0.26×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
128	University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's	$70,877 n=132	92% 5yr	$17,625	0.25×	Above +101%	Clears 2/2
129	South Dakota State UniversitySD · Bachelor's	$70,727 n=19	85% 5yr	$24,250	0.34×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
130	Oberlin CollegeOH · Bachelor's	$70,689 n=32	—	$23,250	0.33×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
131	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · UG cert	$70,537 n=19	—	$16,264	0.23×	Above +92%	—
132	University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$70,434 n=283	69%	$15,000	0.21×	Above +109%	Clears 2/2
133	University of California-Santa BarbaraCA · Bachelor's	$70,384 n=239	62%	$15,033	0.21×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
134	Regent UniversityVA · Master's	$70,319 n=42	81% 5yr	$33,200	0.47×	Below -1%	Below 2/2
135	Stony Brook UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$70,243 n=94	91% 5yr	$17,500	0.25×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
136	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Bachelor's	$69,992 n=90	92%	$17,646	0.25×	Above +87%	Clears 2/2
137	Vassar CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$69,942 n=48	86% 5yr	$17,500	0.25×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
138	Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPA · Bachelor's	$69,816 n=24	89% 5yr	$19,500	0.28×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
139	University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's	$69,651 n=93	82%	$18,742	0.27×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
140	University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's	$69,515 n=192	84%	$19,201	0.28×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
141	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's	$69,375 n=263	50%	$17,595	0.25×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
142	Pacific Lutheran UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$69,366 n=18	61% 1yr	$20,500	0.30×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
143	The College of New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's	$69,317 n=41	88% 5yr	$25,500	0.37×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
144	Skidmore CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$69,091 n=27	96% 5yr	$23,550	0.34×	Above +82%	Clears 2/2
145	Washington CollegeMD · Bachelor's	$69,018 n=21	82% 5yr	$23,250	0.34×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
146	Trinity UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$68,934 n=25	—	$23,953	0.35×	Above +93%	—
147	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
148	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaPA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
149	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BerksPA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	—
150	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegePA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
151	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgPA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
152	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-BarrePA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	—
153	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State YorkPA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	—
154	Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Bachelor's	$68,918 n=187	87%	$25,000	0.36×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
155	Smith CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$68,916 n=47	90% 5yr	$19,000	0.28×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
156	Chapman UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$68,856 n=74	86% 5yr	$20,500	0.30×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
157	Pitzer CollegeCA · Bachelor's	$68,831 n=16	—	$9,975	0.14×	Above +79%	—
158	Ripon CollegeWI · Bachelor's	$68,800 n=17	—	—	—	Above +77%	—
159	Hampden-Sydney CollegeVA · Bachelor's	$68,731 n=24	—	$27,000	0.39×	Above +81%	—
160	University of DaytonOH · Bachelor's	$68,731 n=47	97% 5yr	$24,687	0.36×	Above +87%	Clears 2/2
161	Wofford CollegeSC · Bachelor's	$68,661 n=34	77% 5yr	$26,825	0.39×	Above +100%	Clears 2/2
162	Grinnell CollegeIA · Bachelor's	$68,518 n=29	78% 5yr	$17,500	0.26×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
163	University of RochesterNY · Bachelor's	$68,510 n=36	81% 5yr	$21,000	0.31×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
164	Citadel Military College of South CarolinaSC · Bachelor's	$68,504 n=56	88% 5yr	$20,250	0.30×	Above +99%	Clears 2/2
165	University of UtahUT · Bachelor's	$68,490 n=74	90% 5yr	$18,062	0.26×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
166	Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Master's	$68,469 n=54	73% 1yr	$41,000	0.60×	Above +1%	—
167	Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Master's	$68,463 n=31	80% 1yr	$34,561	0.51×	Below -11%	—
168	Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Master's	$68,463 n=31	80% 1yr	$34,561	0.51×	Below -11%	—
169	University of RichmondVA · Bachelor's	$68,339 n=32	97% 5yr	$23,000	0.34×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
170	Roosevelt UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$68,226 n=18	—	$23,250	0.34×	Above +81%	—
171	Clark UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$68,174 n=50	87% 5yr	$25,875	0.38×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
172	Florida State UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$68,059 n=390	64%	$17,537	0.26×	Above +102%	Clears 2/2
173	Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Bachelor's	$67,873 n=99	68%	$18,500	0.27×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
174	University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's	$67,759 n=232	73%	$13,687	0.20×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
175	University of California-San DiegoCA · Bachelor's	$67,713 n=255	69%	$15,000	0.22×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
176	Saint Louis UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$67,287 n=26	83% 5yr	$22,386	0.33×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
177	Washington State UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$67,264 n=58	83% 5yr	$21,150	0.31×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
178	Drake UniversityIA · Bachelor's	$67,257 n=31	—	$20,500	0.30×	Above +75%	—
179	St. John's University-New YorkNY · Master's	$67,228 n=30	86% 5yr	$47,055	0.70×	Below -5%	Below 2/2
180	Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$67,032 n=152	68%	$21,500	0.32×	Above +91%	Clears 2/2
181	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLA · Bachelor's	$67,007 n=120	87% 5yr	$19,500	0.29×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
182	Drew UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$66,965 n=16	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.40×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
183	Southeast Missouri State UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$66,799 n=22	—	$17,750	0.27×	Above +87%	—
184	Drexel UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$66,756 n=18	—	$26,722	0.40×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
185	SUNY College at GeneseoNY · Bachelor's	$66,670 n=71	92% 5yr	$18,500	0.28×	Above +75%	—
186	SUNY OneontaNY · Bachelor's	$66,572 n=42	89% 5yr	$21,825	0.33×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
187	Muhlenberg CollegePA · Bachelor's	$66,540 n=24	—	$26,909	0.40×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
188	University of North DakotaND · Bachelor's	$66,535 n=24	—	—	—	Above +62%	—
189	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$66,527 n=478	50%	$19,500	0.29×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
190	Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$66,527 n=478	50%	$19,500	0.29×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
191	Duquesne UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$66,444 n=37	84% 5yr	$23,250	0.35×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
192	Pace UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$66,408 n=33	85% 5yr	$26,000	0.39×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
193	Tuskegee UniversityAL · Bachelor's	$66,391 n=18	89% 5yr	$28,875	0.43×	Above +93%	—
194	Boston UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$66,373 n=88	87% 5yr	$23,250	0.35×	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
195	Bridgewater CollegeVA · Bachelor's	$66,305 n=19	—	$23,250	0.35×	Above +74%	—
196	University of DenverCO · Bachelor's	$66,288 n=37	79% 5yr	$21,500	0.32×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
197	University of Pittsburgh-GreensburgPA · Bachelor's	$66,231 n=111	60%	$23,415	0.35×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
198	University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownPA · Bachelor's	$66,231 n=111	60%	$23,415	0.35×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
199	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · Bachelor's	$66,231 n=111	60%	$23,415	0.35×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
200	University of DelawareDE · Bachelor's	$66,224 n=150	94% 5yr	$23,250	0.35×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
201	University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Bachelor's	$66,148 n=240	80%	$20,500	0.31×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
202	Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$65,972 n=288	68%	$20,000	0.30×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
203	University of MississippiMS · Bachelor's	$65,925 n=31	90% 5yr	$25,021	0.38×	Above +100%	—
204	University of IowaIA · Bachelor's	$65,923 n=98	92% 5yr	$21,500	0.33×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
205	University of California-Santa CruzCA · Bachelor's	$65,890 n=123	72%	$16,703	0.25×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
206	Sacred Heart UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$65,879 n=18	—	$20,750	0.32×	Above +56%	—
207	The University of Texas at DallasTX · Bachelor's	$65,869 n=43	81% 5yr	$19,711	0.30×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
208	University of Southern MaineME · Bachelor's	$65,836 n=27	50% 1yr	$15,594	0.24×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
209	University of Northern ColoradoCO · Bachelor's	$65,783 n=26	89% 5yr	$20,000	0.30×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
210	Howard UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$65,733 n=81	82% 5yr	$24,375	0.37×	Above +82%	Clears 2/2
211	Biola UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$65,558 n=17	—	$24,344	0.37×	Above +71%	—
212	Flagler CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$65,513 n=27	—	$25,118	0.38×	Above +94%	—
213	University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's	$65,487 n=245	74%	$18,500	0.28×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
214	University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSC · Bachelor's	$65,464 n=164	53%	$21,500	0.33×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
215	Christopher Newport UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$65,241 n=82	87% 5yr	$22,750	0.35×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
216	CUNY Queens CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$65,213 n=90	77%	$10,457	0.16×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
217	Sonoma State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$65,009 n=44	62% 1yr	$15,000	0.23×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
218	Marymount UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$64,917 n=19	—	$23,000	0.35×	Above +71%	—
219	Radford UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$64,901 n=40	87% 5yr	$22,375	0.34×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
220	San Diego State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$64,824 n=106	92% 5yr	$17,364	0.27×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
221	Clemson UniversitySC · Bachelor's	$64,822 n=67	94% 5yr	$20,500	0.32×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
222	University of South FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$64,820 n=174	69%	$17,900	0.28×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
223	College of Saint BenedictMN · Bachelor's	$64,777 n=22	—	$27,000	0.42×	Above +62%	—
224	University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNH · Bachelor's	$64,762 n=135	55%	$25,000	0.39×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
225	University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's	$64,762 n=135	55%	$25,000	0.39×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
226	The College of WoosterOH · Bachelor's	$64,760 n=28	88% 5yr	$26,784	0.41×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
227	University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMD · Bachelor's	$64,756 n=61	91% 5yr	$19,500	0.30×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
228	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Bachelor's	$64,747 n=123	92% 5yr	$21,125	0.33×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
229	California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$64,605 n=26	80% 5yr	$25,000	0.39×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
230	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Master's	$64,565 n=22	95% 5yr	$65,441	1.01×	Below -4%	Below 2/2
231	Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$64,525 n=37	78% 5yr	$19,000	0.29×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
232	Monmouth UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$64,438 n=54	91% 5yr	$27,000	0.42×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
233	Central Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$64,361 n=19	87% 5yr	$14,385	0.22×	Above +51%	—
234	University of RedlandsCA · Bachelor's	$64,353 n=24	—	$26,000	0.40×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
235	Hampton UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$64,293 n=25	86% 5yr	$26,000	0.40×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
236	University at AlbanyNY · Bachelor's	$64,270 n=203	29%	$19,500	0.30×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
237	Le Moyne CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$64,258 n=42	92% 5yr	$26,325	0.41×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
238	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$64,231 n=60	71% 5yr	$11,744	0.18×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
239	University of Central FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$64,056 n=138	44%	$17,750	0.28×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
240	Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOK · Bachelor's	$63,977 n=66	56% 1yr	$19,500	0.30×	Above +81%	—
241	University of Central MissouriMO · Bachelor's	$63,965 n=18	73% 1yr	$20,719	0.32×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
242	University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's	$63,902 n=199	80%	$20,464	0.32×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
243	University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's	$63,902 n=199	80%	$20,464	0.32×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
244	University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's	$63,902 n=199	80%	$20,464	0.32×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
245	University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's	$63,902 n=199	80%	$20,464	0.32×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
246	University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's	$63,902 n=199	80%	$20,464	0.32×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
247	Ramapo College of New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's	$63,853 n=28	—	$21,003	0.33×	Above +60%	—
248	Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$63,814 n=43	84% 5yr	$23,750	0.37×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
249	Kansas State UniversityKS · Bachelor's	$63,811 n=35	95% 5yr	$24,519	0.38×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
250	Simpson CollegeIA · Bachelor's	$63,790 n=17	—	$27,000	0.42×	Above +66%	—

Showing the top 250 of 581 institution-programs by median earnings; 331 lower-earning programs are omitted from the table for length.

% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.

By state — median earnings, 4 yrs out

State	Median earn 4yr	Programs
Maine	$80,714	5
District of Columbia	$79,692	9
Maryland	$72,397	15
Indiana	$69,992	11
Rhode Island	$69,521	6
Virginia	$68,339	23
Vermont	$67,535	4
Massachusetts	$66,373	27
Pennsylvania	$66,231	45
Colorado	$65,174	8
New Hampshire	$64,762	7
Washington	$64,361	13
New York	$64,231	49
Connecticut	$63,902	14
Iowa	$63,790	7
New Jersey	$63,765	20
Oregon	$63,354	5
California	$63,107	49
Kansas	$62,825	4
Missouri	$62,576	11
Arizona	$62,549	6
Florida	$62,216	17
Illinois	$60,020	23
Alabama	$59,479	6
Georgia	$59,471	16

States with at least 3 reporting Political Science and Government programs, by median graduate earnings.

Frequently asked

Which colleges have the highest-paying Political Science and Government programs?

By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Political Science and Government programs in this dataset are Johns Hopkins University ($121,729), Johns Hopkins University ($118,381), Johns Hopkins University ($114,020). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.

Are Political Science and Government programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?

Indicatively, 7 of the 581 Political Science and Government programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.