Best Political Science and Government Schools in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has 12 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 486 recent graduates. Graduates in Wisconsin earn $32,442 on average within two years — 6% below the national average of $34,409. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Marquette University graduates earn $37,856 while Beloit College graduates earn $25,658 — a $12,198 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in WI

$32,442

WI Avg. Earnings

$34,409

National Avg.

631

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in Wisconsin

Public Schools (8)

$32,958

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (4)

$31,066

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, Ranked by Earnings

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI · Private

$37,856

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,070

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 87.4%

Ripon College

Ripon, WI · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 83.9%

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

$37,838

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,789

Graduates: 219

Acceptance: 43.4%

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, WI · Public

$32,569

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 73.3%

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Whitewater, WI · Public

$41,565

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,622

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 82.8%

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public

$31,236

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,739

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 88.4%

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Stevens Point, WI · Public

$23,649

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,859

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 90.1%

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Eau Claire, WI · Public

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,413

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 76.1%

Lawrence University

Appleton, WI · Private

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Green Bay, WI · Public

$35,274

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,547

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 87.8%

#11

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Platteville, WI · Public

Beloit College

Beloit, WI · Private

$25,658

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,936

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 57.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Marquette University ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in Wisconsin with median graduate earnings of $37,856 within two years of graduation. There are 12 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.

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

Political Science and Government graduates in Wisconsin earn an average of $32,442 within two years of graduation. This is 6% below the national average of $34,409 for this major.

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

University of Wisconsin-Madison is the most selective Political Science and Government program in Wisconsin with an acceptance rate of 43.4%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 76.7%.

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

In Wisconsin, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $31,066 vs $32,958 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 4 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Wisconsin

Computer Engineering $73,755 Construction Management $63,643 Computer Programming $62,260 Civil Engineering $62,210 Computer and Information Sciences, General $61,271 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $60,265 Computer Science $59,189 Computer Systems Analysis $57,437

All colleges in Wisconsin →

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.