WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+29% vs national median140 grads tracked

Political Science and Government at Washington and Lee University

Ranked 4th of 322 bachelor's programs in Political Science and Government by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$34,351
middle 50%: $25,965 – $51,223
Median · 5 years out
$80,325
middle 50%: $52,593 – $120,677
Median · 10 years out
$139,907
middle 50%: $86,849 – $233,575

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 Washington and Lee University's bachelor's program in Political Science and Government earn a median $34,351 one year after graduating, rising to $139,907 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 29% above the national median of $62,236 for this field, ranking 4th 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
5.9 yrs
≈ $7,483 total interest

Same major at other universities

Connecticut College
$85,664 · 5 yrs out
Penn State World Campus
$82,142 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$80,624 · 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
Carleton College
$76,770 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Washington and Lee University

Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$120,727 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$120,727 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$117,024 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$117,024 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$111,605 · 5 yrs out
Economics (Bachelor's)
$108,900 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Bachelor's)
$107,690 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's)
$104,558 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Bachelor's)
$101,595 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics (Bachelor's)
$101,595 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Bachelor's)
$88,696 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$73,883 · 5 yrs out

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