Best Political Science and Government Schools in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has 27 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,505 recent graduates. Graduates in Massachusetts earn $39,584 on average within two years — 15% above the national average of $34,409, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Harvard University graduates earn $57,017 while Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates earn $32,925 — a $24,092 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in MA

$39,584

MA Avg. Earnings

$34,409

National Avg.

631

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in Massachusetts

Public Schools (7)

$31,741

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (19)

$41,635

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $9,894 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Political Science and Government Schools in Massachusetts, Ranked by Earnings

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Private

$57,017

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,808

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: 3.5%

Williams College

Williamstown, MA · Private

$51,482

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $47,987

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 10.0%

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA · Private

$46,357

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,436

Graduates: 91

Acceptance: 21.1%

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private

$44,276

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,951

Graduates: 136

Acceptance: 15.7%

Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,879

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 10.1%

Stonehill College

Easton, MA · Private

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,781

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 72.6%

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private

$44,356

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,983

Graduates: 64

Acceptance: 35.3%

Northeastern University

Boston, MA · Private

$49,744

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,238

Graduates: 106

Acceptance: 5.7%

Northeastern University Professional Programs

Boston, MA ·

$49,744

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,238

Graduates: 106

Acceptance: N/A

#10

Suffolk University

Boston, MA · Private

$40,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,298

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 84.7%

#11

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA · Private

$36,852

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,693

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 13.9%

#12

Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private

$39,153

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,776

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 19.7%

#13

Clark University

Worcester, MA · Private

$27,181

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,829

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 41.7%

#14

Boston University

Boston, MA · Private

$38,721

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,106

Graduates: 88

Acceptance: 10.8%

#15

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

$48,432

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,419

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 9.8%

#16

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public

$25,596

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,914

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 85.2%

#17

University of Massachusetts-Boston

Boston, MA · Public

$28,236

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,273

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 83.0%

#18

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, MA · Public

$33,266

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,557

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 92.2%

#19

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,150

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 38.3%

#20

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public

$35,004

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,030

Graduates: 203

Acceptance: 57.8%

#21

Westfield State University

Westfield, MA · Public

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,446

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 80.7%

#22

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, MA · Public

$33,281

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,807

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 89.2%

#23

Assumption University

Worcester, MA · Private

Salem State University

Salem, MA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,013

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 95.6%

#25

Emmanuel College

Boston, MA · Private

Simmons University

Boston, MA · Private

$39,009

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,293

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 66.0%

#27

Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Norton, MA · Private

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,034

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 71.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Political Science and Government in Massachusetts?

Harvard University ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in Massachusetts with median graduate earnings of $57,017 within two years of graduation. There are 27 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.

How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn in Massachusetts?

Political Science and Government graduates in Massachusetts earn an average of $39,584 within two years of graduation. This is 15% above the national average of $34,409 for this major.

What is the hardest Political Science and Government school to get into in Massachusetts?

Harvard University is the most selective Political Science and Government program in Massachusetts with an acceptance rate of 3.5%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 49.3%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Political Science and Government in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $41,635 vs $31,741 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 19 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Massachusetts

Computer Science $83,997 Computer Engineering $80,525 Applied Mathematics $79,258 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $77,562 Chemical Engineering $70,218 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $66,917 Computer and Information Sciences, General $65,613 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $61,172

All colleges in Massachusetts →

Political Science and Government in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.