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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
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.
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.
#1 in Political Science|#15 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Economic score:0.29
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $28,450
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$41,000
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.40
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.
#2 in Political Science|#12 in Humanities & Social Sciences
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Economic score:0.40
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $19,558
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$40,203
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.54
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.
#3 in Political Science|#23 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Economic score:0.43
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $4,273
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$26,392
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.46
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.
#4 in Political Science|#24 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Economic score:0.47
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $4,859
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$24,146
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.52
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.
#5 in Political Science|#53 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Economic score:0.49
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $6,095
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$27,528
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.56
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.
#6 in Political Science|#26 in Humanities & Social Sciences
CUNY Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York
Economic score:0.56
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $1,806
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$25,624
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.54
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.
#7 in Political Science|#28 in Humanities & Social Sciences
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Economic score:0.62
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $2,021
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$30,448
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.60
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.
#8 in Political Science|#47 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Pace University
New York, New York
Economic score:0.72
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $12,088
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$57,602
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.89
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.
#9 in Political Science|#48 in Humanities & Social Sciences
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Economic score:0.73
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $10,995
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$25,593
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.58
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.
#10 in Political Science|#39 in Humanities & Social Sciences
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
Economic score:0.74
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $4,332
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$60,256
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.79
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.
#11 in Political Science|#52 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
Economic score:0.76
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $3,386
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$29,389
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.70
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.
#12 in Political Science|#71 in Humanities & Social Sciences
St. John's University, New York
Queens, New York
Economic score:0.82
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $4,404
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$48,854
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.89
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.
#13 in Political Science|#69 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Economic score:1.01
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $2,204
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$41,649
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.96
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.
#14 in Political Science|#84 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $20,228
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$36,907
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.73
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.
#15 in Political Science|#73 in Humanities & Social Sciences
University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical
Denver, Colorado
Economic score:1.08
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $338
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$65,441
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:1.08
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.
#16 in Political Science|#61 in Humanities & Social Sciences
American University
Washington, District of Columbia
Economic score:1.26
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $10,932
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$46,871
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:1.02
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.
#17 in Political Science|#86 in Humanities & Social Sciences
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Economic score:1.32
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $7,926
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$37,786
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:1.07
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.
#18 in Political Science|#87 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Economic score:1.37
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $18,391
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$34,166
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.92
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.
#19 in Political Science|#36 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
Economic score:1.43
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $4,824
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$68,130
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:1.31
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.
How long does it take to pay down debt in poli sci/government?
Years
Under a year
The average debt accrued from a master's degree in poli sci/government is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.
How much do graduates with master's degree in poli sci/government earn?
Salary
$72,302
The median master's degree in poli sci/government graduate earns $72,302 3 years after graduating.
How much does a master's degree in poli sci/government cost?
Net cost
$25,909
The average annual cost of a master's degree in poli sci/government is $25,909. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.
Filters
Humanities & Social Sciences
