WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+30% vs national median1,456 grads tracked

Political Science and Government at University of Virginia

Ranked 3rd of 322 bachelor's programs in Political Science and Government by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$51,004
middle 50%: $36,013 – $66,855
Median · 5 years out
$80,624
middle 50%: $58,734 – $116,416
Median · 10 years out
$117,586
middle 50%: $76,447 – $189,129

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Political Science and Government (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of Virginia's bachelor's program in Political Science and Government earn a median $51,004 one year after graduating, rising to $117,586 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 30% above the national median of $62,236 for this field, ranking 3rd of 322 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
5.4 yrs
≈ $6,207 total interest

Same major at other universities

Connecticut College
$85,664 · 5 yrs out
Penn State World Campus
$82,142 · 5 yrs out
Washington and Lee University
$80,325 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$79,438 · 5 yrs out
Bryant University
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Quinnipiac University
$77,568 · 5 yrs out
Wabash College
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
University of Richmond
$77,115 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Virginia

Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$198,412 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$187,481 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$163,027 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$162,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Certificate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,161 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$133,882 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$133,294 · 5 yrs out

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