Political Science and Government

Bachelor's degree · James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA

CIP 45.10

$42,128Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$73,326Median earnings 4 years after
$68,443Median earnings 5 years after
$19,286Median federal debt
110Graduates per year

How this program compares

Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Political Science and Government at James Madison University earn a median of $42,128 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $63,293 four years after graduating (middle half: $44,760–$85,406). Median debt is $19,286, about 46% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.

Political Science and Government (Bachelor's degree) at other Virginia schools

CollegeEarnings (1 yr)Median debt
Liberty University
Lynchburg
$46,508$27,000
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville
$45,875$16,049
George Mason University
Fairfax
$45,846$20,449
Christopher Newport University
Newport News
$43,508$22,750
University of Richmond
University of Richmond
$43,253$23,000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg
$42,114$23,500
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland
$41,684$27,000
William & Mary
Williamsburg
$41,317$19,500
Marymount University
Arlington
$41,186—
Hampton University
Hampton
$37,200$26,000
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney
$37,123$27,000
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg
$35,687$23,000
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond
$34,080$20,000
Old Dominion University
Norfolk
$31,700$21,500
Radford University
Radford
$27,136$22,375

Highest-paying Political Science and Government programs nationwide →

Other programs at James Madison University

Frequently asked questions

How much do Political Science and Government graduates from James Madison University make?

The median salary is $42,128 one year after graduation and $68,443 after five years.

How much student debt do graduates have?

Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $19,286.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.