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History and Political Science

HUMANITIES Specialization

History and Political Science

History and Political Science graduates pursue 4 occupations, with top roles paying $142,080/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.

Explore Program

About History and Political Science

History and Political Science is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. The program is available at 18 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 68 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Colleges Offering: 18
Graduates / Year: 68
Avg Net Price / yr: $18,065

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 68 students who complete History and Political Science programs each year, the majority (85%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

85%

Bachelor's 85%

Master's 15%

What Can You Do With a History and Political Science Degree?

History and Political Science connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Political Scientist leads at $142,080/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↘ -3.1% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Political Scientist

$142,080

$114K $174K 25th–75th pct.

Master's degree 500 openings/yr 6K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Active Learning Speaking Active Listening Writing

Day-to-day responsibilities

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

Teach political science.
Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.

↗ +2.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Political Science Teachers

$98,070

$73K $129K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,600 openings/yr 17K employed nationally

Speaking Reading Comprehension Instructing Active Listening Writing

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

↘ -0.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

History Teachers

$83,820

$64K $112K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,700 openings/yr 19K employed nationally

Speaking Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies Writing Instructing

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.

↗ +4.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Social Science Research Assistants

$61,990

$49K $78K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 5,200 openings/yr 31K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Writing Critical Thinking Active Listening Complex Problem Solving

Day-to-day responsibilities

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.

Top Colleges for History and Political Science

The 12 colleges below are ranked by how many History and Political Science students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, IN · Public	9	86.5%	$3,968	$49,917
2	Eureka College Eureka, IL · Nonprofit	8	85%	$17,349	$51,641
3	Texas A & M International University Laredo, TX · Public	7	44.4%	$3,637	$48,386
4	Curry College Milton, MA · Nonprofit	6	87.7%	$29,207	$54,400
5	Keuka College Keuka Park, NY · Nonprofit	6	68.1%	$24,338	$58,289
6	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA · Public	5	75.7%	$6,842	$34,996
7	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR · Public	3	75.3%	$14,027	$42,386
8	Averett University Danville, VA · Nonprofit	2	56.6%	$22,925	$51,516
9	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE · Public	1	87%	$13,441	$53,909
10	Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ · Nonprofit	1	89%	$30,988	$67,991
11	Friends University Wichita, KS · Nonprofit	1	55.2%	$27,715	$52,113
12	King University Bristol, TN · Nonprofit	1	99.7%	$22,347	$59,831

Ranked by History and Political Science graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a History and Political Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a History and Political Science degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

History and Political Science Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on History and Political Science shows 0 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas 2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Limited program availability Only 18 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

History and Political Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs can you get with a History and Political Science degree?

History and Political Science degree holders pursue careers including Political Scientist, which pays a median of $142,080/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a History and Political Science program take?

A History and Political Science bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer History and Political Science?

18 colleges and universities in the United States offer History and Political Science programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

What is the difference between History and Political Science and Interdisciplinary Studies?

History and Political Science is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to History and Political Science-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in History and Political Science graduates?

Employers hiring History and Political Science graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for History and Political Science graduates?

The job outlook for History and Political Science graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +0.8% job growth over the next 10 years. Social Science Research Assistants is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.4%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.