Grad school · Social sciences

Political science graduate programs: earnings and debt by school

196 colleges award master's degrees in political science. Graduates of the typical program earned $60,094 a year after finishing, and those who borrowed left with a median of $34,431 in federal loans taken at the school.

Master's programs196

Graduates in 2023-241,862

Typical median debt$34,431

Typical earnings 1 yr after$60,094

Typical earnings 4 yrs after$76,243

Earnings to debt1.7x

Official field: Political Science and Government. Admission figures such as LSAT, MCAT or GRE scores are not part of this federal data, so check each school.

Degree level	Programs	Typical earnings 1 yr after	Typical median debt
Master's	196	$60,094	$34,431
Doctoral	120	n/a	n/a
Professional doctorate	1	n/a	n/a

Is it worth it? Debt vs first-year pay

Each dot is one master's program. Dots above the dashed line have graduates earning more in their first year than the program's median debt.

Earnings above median debt Debt above first-year earnings

Master's programs in political science

Highest first-year earnings

Johns Hopkins University$87,109

George Washington University$80,259

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill$70,095

American Public University System$67,643

American University$67,270

Rutgers University-New Brunswick$61,705

Liberty University$61,517

Georgetown University$60,698

Filter by school, city or state

College	Graduates (2023-24)	Earnings 1 yr after	Earnings 4 yrs after	Median debt
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD	127	$87,109	$118,381	$44,216
George Washington UniversityWashington, DC	90	$80,259	$106,674	$56,957
American UniversityWashington, DC	25	$67,270	$98,567	$41,000
University of FloridaGainesville, FL	17	n/a	$86,694	n/a
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA	14	$57,767	$86,137	n/a
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC	29	$60,698	$79,929	$98,223
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL	35	$55,828	$76,608	$23,875
University of Illinois SpringfieldSpringfield, IL	28	$54,186	$76,243	$24,915
American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV	35	$67,643	$74,802	$37,456
Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA	27	n/a	$70,319	$42,733
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ	26	$61,705	$68,463	$29,884
Rutgers University-NewarkNewark, NJ	9	$61,705	$68,463	$29,884
St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY	24	$58,757	$67,228	$25,074
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO	10	n/a	$64,565	n/a
Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL	12	$59,659	$63,359	n/a
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC	18	$70,095	n/a	n/a
Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA	33	$61,517	n/a	$27,335
University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE	22	$60,530	n/a	n/a
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY	49	$58,969	n/a	n/a
Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA	19	$57,280	n/a	n/a
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX	12	$55,187	n/a	n/a
Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA	6	$54,993	n/a	n/a
Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA	14	$45,492	n/a	n/a
Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Baylor UniversityWaco, TX	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Boise State UniversityBoise, ID	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Boston UniversityBoston, MA	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Brown UniversityProvidence, RI	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY	15	n/a	n/a	n/a
CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York, NY	30	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-ChicoChico, CA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta, GA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Converse UniversitySpartanburg, SC	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Duke UniversityDurham, NC	29	n/a	n/a	n/a
East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, TX	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusTeaneck, NJ	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
Florida International UniversityMiami, FL	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Fordham UniversityBronx, NY	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA	18	n/a	n/a	n/a
Governors State UniversityUniversity Park, IL	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA	73	n/a	n/a	n/a
Hillsdale CollegeHillsdale, MI	23	n/a	n/a	n/a
Howard UniversityWashington, DC	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Idaho State UniversityPocatello, ID	15	n/a	n/a	n/a
Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-EastRichmond, IN	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-South BendSouth Bend, IN	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-MetroSan Juan, PR	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Jackson State UniversityJackson, MS	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Kent State University at KentKent, OH	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Long Island UniversityBrookville, NY	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Miami University-OxfordOxford, OH	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
New York UniversityNew York, NY	38	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, IL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH	25	n/a	n/a	n/a
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Pace UniversityNew York, NY	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Portland State UniversityPortland, OR	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ	19	n/a	n/a	n/a
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rice UniversityHouston, TX	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX	19	n/a	n/a	$34,431
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CT	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Stanford UniversityStanford, CA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas Woman's UniversityDenton, TX	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
The Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
The New SchoolNew York, NY	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of MontanaMissoula, MT	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University at AlbanyAlbany, NY	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ArizonaTucson, AZ	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA	20	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-DavisDavis, CA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-MercedMerced, CA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ChicagoChicago, IL	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of DallasIrving, TX	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of DelawareNewark, DE	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of GeorgiaAthens, GA	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of HoustonHouston, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of IowaIowa City, IA	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of KansasLawrence, KS	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of KentuckyLexington, KY	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD	20	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of MemphisMemphis, TN	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of MississippiUniversity, MS	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham, NH	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North TexasDenton, TX	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of OregonEugene, OR	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of RochesterRochester, NY	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South DakotaVermillion, SD	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South FloridaTampa, FL	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of West FloridaPensacola, FL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of WyomingLaramie, WY	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Utah State UniversityLogan, UT	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Washington State UniversityPullman, WA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT	26	n/a	n/a	n/a

Doctoral programs in political science

Filter by school, city or state

College	Graduates (2023-24)	Earnings 1 yr after	Earnings 4 yrs after	Median debt
University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD	8	n/a	$105,840	n/a
University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA	12	n/a	$104,566	n/a
American UniversityWashington, DC	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Baylor UniversityWaco, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Boston UniversityBoston, MA	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Brown UniversityProvidence, RI	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York, NY	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta, GA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY	17	n/a	n/a	n/a
Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Duke UniversityDurham, NC	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Florida International UniversityMiami, FL	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
George Washington UniversityWashington, DC	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA	21	n/a	n/a	n/a
Hillsdale CollegeHillsdale, MI	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Howard UniversityWashington, DC	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Idaho State UniversityPocatello, ID	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Kent State University at KentKent, OH	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA	17	n/a	n/a	n/a
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
New York UniversityNew York, NY	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL	15	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ	18	n/a	n/a	n/a
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rice UniversityHouston, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Stanford UniversityStanford, CA	15	n/a	n/a	n/a
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The New SchoolNew York, NY	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX	17	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University at AlbanyAlbany, NY	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ArizonaTucson, AZ	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA	15	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-DavisDavis, CA	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-MercedMerced, CA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ChicagoChicago, IL	14	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of DallasIrving, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of DelawareNewark, DE	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of FloridaGainesville, FL	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of GeorgiaAthens, GA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of HoustonHouston, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of IdahoMoscow, ID	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of IowaIowa City, IA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of KansasLawrence, KS	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of KentuckyLexington, KY	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI	14	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of MississippiUniversity, MS	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North TexasDenton, TX	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of OregonEugene, OR	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of RochesterRochester, NY	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South DakotaVermillion, SD	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
Washington State UniversityPullman, WA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT	14	n/a	n/a	n/a

Professional doctorate programs in political science

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College	Graduates (2023-24)	Earnings 1 yr after	Earnings 4 yrs after	Median debt
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a

Frequently asked questions

How much do political science graduates earn?

Graduates of the typical master's program earned a median of $60,094 one year after finishing, in 2024 dollars.

How much debt do political science graduate students take on?

The typical program's graduates who borrowed left with a median of $34,431 in federal loans taken at that school. Undergraduate loans are not included.

Undergraduate: Political science major

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.