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Best Political Science Graduate Programs

A master’s in political science provides advanced interdisciplinary training in topics like economics, national and international politics, public policy, sociology, and law. Three years after completing their degree, political science graduates earn a weighted average salary of $56,738. 

Our rankings of political science graduate programs cover 25 of the 96 programs available, accounting for 49% of total conferrals. We are unable to include schools for which there are insufficient earnings and/or debt data. 

For more information on how we determine the best master’s degree in political science programs, please visit our methodology page.

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15 Results

#1 in Political Science

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Economic score 0.26

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $116,678

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in Political Science

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Economic score 0.35

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $66,880

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $24,550

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in Political Science
Economic score 0.48

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $59,903

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $27,542

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in Political Science

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Economic score 0.53

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $49,058

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $29,672

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in Political Science
Economic score 0.61

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $43,888

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $26,128

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in Political Science

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score 0.64

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $89,553

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $61,310

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in Political Science
Economic score 0.66

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $61,839

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $47,055

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in Political Science

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Economic score 0.84

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $49,737

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $33,200

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in Political Science

CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Economic score 0.84

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $47,260

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $36,288

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in Political Science

Rutgers University, New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Economic score 0.85

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $43,420

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $34,561

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#11 in Political Science

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Economic score 0.85

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $41,758

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $32,758

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#12 in Political Science
Economic score 1.03

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $63,220

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.0

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $65,441

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#13 in Political Science

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia

Economic score 1.05

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $43,798

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $32,494

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#14 in Political Science

American University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score 1.49

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $46,087

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.1

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $49,800

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#15 in Political Science

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score 1.53

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $52,107

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $65,578

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

How long does it take to pay down debt in political science and government?

Years

Under a year

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in political science and government is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in political science and government earn?

Salary

$63,047

The median master's degree in political science and government graduate earns $63,047 4 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in political science and government cost?

Net cost

$20,717

The average annual cost of a master's degree in political science and government is $20,717. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.

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