Should you pick your degree based on future salary?

After graduation, political science graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $95,310, while the bottom 20% make closer to $39,916. The median grad salary is $61,680.

Political Science graduate salaries over time

The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in political science is $38,250, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $65,568.

This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:

Wage ($USD)

Wage Range Median Wage

Years of work experience

Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in political science is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career

Overview

Discover what you’ll learn—and what you can do after you graduate.

Read about Overview