Political Science graduates earn $63,293 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,760 and $85,406. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Political Science as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Social Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Political Science is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $63,293 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 1,302 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 46,438 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$35,813
Median Earnings · 4yr
$63,293
Colleges Offering
1,302
Graduates / Year
46,438
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,307
How Much Do Political Science Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Political Science, a typical graduate earns $63,293, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,760 and $85,406, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $35,813 at one year out to $63,293 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$63,293
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$61,922
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Political Science graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$44,76025th pct.
$63,293Median
$85,40675th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $63,293 and an estimated $69,228 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.1 years.
Based on outcomes from 1,130 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 46,438 students who complete Political Science programs each year, the majority (89%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
89%
Bachelor's89%
Associate's5%
Master's4%
What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Political Science graduates show up in 6 different occupations, and Political Scientist pays the most at $142,080/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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.
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
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.
Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex 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 Political Science
Not sure where to study Political Science? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Political Science graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Social Sciences Programs
Political Science is not the only path through Social Sciences: 12 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Political Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Political Science shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $63,293 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $35,813 at graduation to $63,293 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +5.0% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 72,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop 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 areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Political Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Political Science graduates earn?
$63,293 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,760 and $85,406, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Political Science degree?
$35,813 in the first year out. That grows to $63,293 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Political Science degree?
Political Scientist is one path, and it pays a median of $142,080 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Political Science program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Political Science bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Political Science?
1,302 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Political Science degree worth it?
$63,293 median earnings four years out against $17,307 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Political Science and Social Sciences?
Political Science is the narrower of the two: Social Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Political Science-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Political Science graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Political Science graduates consistently look for research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Political Science graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $63,293, graduate study in Political Science tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Political Science graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +2.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Social Science Research Assistants are among the strongest-growth roles at +5.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Other programs in Social Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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