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undergraduate

Political science and government


What is a political science and government major?

Political science and government students learn about political institutions and behavior. It includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies of specific political institutions and processes.

How much do political science and government majors make?

median average salary

$85,000/yr

The national average salary for political science and government graduates in the United States is $85,000 per year. Those in the top 10 percent make over $235,000 a year, while the bottom 10 percent make under $29,100 a year. While salary ranges can vary by role, industry, and location, political science and government graduates typically make between $50,000 and $144,000 per year.

How popular is political science and government as a major?

Each year, around 41,000 students obtain a bachelor’s degree and around 1,890 students obtain an associate degree in political science and government. In 2021, 43,812 students received a bachelor's degree and 2,446 students received an associate degree. This is relatively the same number of political science and government majors as there were in 2020. Overall, political science is a relatively popular area of study.

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