Best Political Science and Government Schools in Texas

Texas has 32 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,546 recent graduates. Graduates earn $34,440 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,409.

School choice matters significantly: Rice University graduates earn $50,231 while Austin College graduates earn $24,035 — a $26,196 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in TX

$34,440

TX Avg. Earnings

$34,409

National Avg.

631

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in Texas

Public Schools (20)

$32,650

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (12)

$38,787

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $6,137 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 Texas, Ranked by Earnings

Rice University

Houston, TX · Private

$50,231

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 7.9%

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

$38,971

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,562

Graduates: 284

Acceptance: 29.1%

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX · Private

$41,789

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,860

Graduates: 55

Acceptance: 42.6%

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$35,823

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,443

Graduates: 202

Acceptance: 63.2%

Trinity University

San Antonio, TX · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,249

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 28.2%

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,215

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 65.5%

Saint Edward's University

Austin, TX · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,709

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 83.7%

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas, TX · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 91.1%

Southwestern University

Georgetown, TX · Private

Baylor University

Waco, TX · Private

$33,459

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,558

Graduates: 77

Acceptance: 51.0%

#11

University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public

$37,671

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,388

Graduates: 137

Acceptance: 69.5%

#12

University of Dallas

Irving, TX · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,157

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 54.2%

#13

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,077

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 94.2%

#14

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public

$34,847

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,450

Graduates: 76

Acceptance: 70.9%

#15

University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public

$28,381

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,481

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 90.6%

#16

University of North Texas

Denton, TX · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,596

Graduates: 102

Acceptance: 72.5%

#17

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$30,228

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,398

Graduates: 138

Acceptance: 89.5%

#18

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX · Public

$38,721

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,061

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 85.4%

#19

The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX · Public

$24,035

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,928

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 99.9%

#20

The University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX · Public

$32,772

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,626

Graduates: 67

Acceptance: 88.5%

#21

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$52,941

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,053

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 61.2%

#22

Texas A & M International University

Laredo, TX · Public

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,259

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 46.0%

#23

The University of Texas at Arlington

Arlington, TX · Public

$34,259

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,298

Graduates: 60

Acceptance: 81.3%

#24

Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public

Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX · Public

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, TX · Private

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public

$21,850

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,242

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 84.8%

#28

Prairie View A & M University

Prairie View, TX · Public

Texas Wesleyan University

Fort Worth, TX · Private

The University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, TX · Public

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, TX · Public

Austin College

Sherman, TX · Private

$24,035

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 46.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Rice University ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in Texas with median graduate earnings of $50,231 within two years of graduation. There are 32 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.

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

Political Science and Government graduates in Texas earn an average of $34,440 within two years of graduation. This is near the national average of $34,409 for this major.

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

Rice University is the most selective Political Science and Government program in Texas with an acceptance rate of 7.9%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 69.7%.

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

In Texas, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $38,787 vs $32,650 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 20 public and 12 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Texas

Chemical Engineering $70,069 Architectural Engineering $69,338 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $68,562 Construction Engineering $68,139 Computer Engineering $65,273 Industrial Engineering $64,917 Computer Science $64,839 Construction Engineering Technologies $63,237

All colleges in Texas →

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.