Best Political Science and Government Schools in Washington

Washington has 15 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,018 recent graduates. Graduates earn $33,113 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,409.

15
Schools in WA
$33,113
WA Avg. Earnings
$34,409
National Avg.
631
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in Washington

Public Schools (7)
$36,394
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (8)
$30,242
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Washington produce comparable or higher early earnings for Political Science and Government graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Political Science and Government Schools in Washington, Ranked by Earnings

#1
Gonzaga University logo

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,249
Graduates: 46
Acceptance: 76.0%
#2
University of Washington-Seattle Campus logo

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

$37,896
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,001
Graduates: 198
Acceptance: 42.5%
#3
University of Washington-Bothell Campus logo

University of Washington-Bothell Campus

Bothell, WA · Public

$37,896
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,001
Graduates: 198
Acceptance: 91.8%
#4
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus logo

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA · Public

$37,896
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,001
Graduates: 198
Acceptance: 83.0%
#5
Pacific Lutheran University logo

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, WA · Private

$36,674
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 80.5%
#6
Washington State University logo

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

$33,755
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,510
Graduates: 66
Acceptance: 85.4%
#7
Central Washington University logo

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $37,000
Graduates: 26
Acceptance: 90.2%
#8
Seattle University logo

Seattle University

Seattle, WA · Private

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,495
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 76.0%
#9
Seattle Pacific University logo

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, WA · Private

$24,421
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,595
Graduates: 33
Acceptance: 91.1%
#10
Eastern Washington University logo

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, WA · Public

$34,526
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,619
Graduates: 35
Acceptance: 91.8%
#11
University of Puget Sound logo

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, WA · Private

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,059
Graduates: 58
Acceptance: 76.3%
#12
Whitman College logo

Whitman College

Walla Walla, WA · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,472
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 50.0%
#13
Western Washington University logo

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

$33,779
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,100
Graduates: 102
Acceptance: 91.3%
#14
Saint Martin's University logo

Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA · Private

$26,121
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 75.9%
#15
Whitworth University logo

Whitworth University

Spokane, WA · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 86.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Political Science and Government in Washington?
Gonzaga University ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in Washington with median graduate earnings of $33,993 within two years of graduation. There are 15 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.
How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn in Washington?
Political Science and Government graduates in Washington earn an average of $33,113 within two years of graduation. This is 4% below the national average of $34,409 for this major.
What is the hardest Political Science and Government school to get into in Washington?
University of Washington-Seattle Campus is the most selective Political Science and Government program in Washington with an acceptance rate of 42.5%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 79.2%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Political Science and Government in Washington?
In Washington, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $30,242 vs $36,394 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 8 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Washington

All colleges in Washington →

Political Science and Government in Other States

Get Political Science and Government Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

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.