Science
Political Scientists
- Median pay
- $142,080
- Outlook
- Decline
Master's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
Political Science and Government
CIP45.10
1,087 colleges offer Political Science and Government. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 1,087
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $61,612
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $19,500
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 50
- Associate's
- 206
- Bachelor's
- 1,087
- Master's
- 217
- Post-baccalaureate certificate
- 4
- Doctoral
- 125
- First professional
- 3
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 45
What it covers
About Political Science and Government
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies of specific political institutions and processes.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 45.10.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 45.10.
- Political Science and Government, General
- American Government and Politics (United States)
- Canadian Government and Politics
- Political Economy
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 50 | $75,7704 yrs after · 2 colleges | $17,3755 colleges |
| Associate's | 206 | $43,1654 yrs after · 3 colleges | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | 1,087 | $61,6124 yrs after · 544 colleges | $19,500475 colleges |
| Master's | 217 | $76,2434 yrs after · 15 colleges | $32,15712 colleges |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Doctoral | 125 | $105,2034 yrs after · 2 colleges | Not reported |
| First professional | 3 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 45 | $114,0204 yrs after · 1 college | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where Political Science and Government graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit · 36 graduates
$121,729
debt not reported
- 2
Hanover, NH · Private nonprofit · 149 graduates
$106,153
debt $14,558
- 3
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit · 114 graduates
$102,789
debt $14,788
- 4
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Private nonprofit · 225 graduates
$100,245
debt $21,500
- 5
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit · 49 graduates
$96,621
debt $15,750
- 6
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · 157 graduates
$95,838
debt $7,500
- 7
Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · 123 graduates
$95,391
debt $11,720
- 8
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit · 58 graduates
$95,190
debt $19,387
- 9
University of Notre Dame-South Bend
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · 177 graduates
$94,297
debt $19,000
- 10
Hartford, CT · Private nonprofit · 86 graduates
$94,097
debt $25,018
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Political Science and Government by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
- Bright outlook
Management
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Complex Problem Solving
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Management
Compliance Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Bright outlook
Management
Loss Prevention Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Bright outlook
Management
Managers, All Other
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook
Management
Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Bright outlook
Management
Wind Energy Development Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Bright outlook
Management
Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
More in Social Sciences
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this areaQuestions about Political Science and Government
How many colleges offer Political Science and Government?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Political Science and Government at these degree levels: certificate (50 colleges), associate's (206 colleges), bachelor's (1,087 colleges), master's (217 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (4 colleges), doctoral (125 colleges), first professional (3 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (45 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do Political Science and Government graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Political Science and Government earn $61,612 a year four years after finishing, across 544 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do Political Science and Government graduates earn the most?
Johns Hopkins University reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Political Science and Government: $121,729 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.