Political Science and Government bachelor's degree programs in North Carolina
Compare 16 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in North Carolina
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Elon UniversityElon · $20,500 federal debt$89,6852Duke UniversityDurham · $14,016 federal debt$88,4593Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem · $23,133 federal debt$85,6684High Point UniversityHigh Point · Debt not reported$72,5645University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill · $15,100 federal debt$72,0016North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh · $23,457 federal debt$62,8247East Carolina UniversityGreenville · $25,000 federal debt$60,4198University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington · $22,250 federal debt$58,2589University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte · $24,000 federal debt$57,27310University of North Carolina AshevilleAsheville · $25,821 federal debt$55,698
CAREER CONTEXT IN NC
What related occupations pay in North Carolina
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-9199Managers, All Other
- State median wage
- $141,160
- Middle 50% wage range
- $104,050–$182,390
- State employment
- 21,830
- Projected growth
- +4.9%
- Annual openings
- 100,900
25-1065Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $78,760
- Middle 50% wage range
- $63,140–$105,700
- State employment
- 440
- Projected growth
- +2.5%
- Annual openings
- 1,500
25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- State median wage
- $57,650
- Middle 50% wage range
- $47,760–$60,740
- State employment
- 28,620
- Projected growth
- -0.2%
- Annual openings
- 63,500
19-4061Social Science Research Assistants
- State median wage
- $63,710
- Middle 50% wage range
- $52,130–$67,680
- State employment
- 2,930
- Projected growth
- +5.0%
- Annual openings
- 4,900
19-3011Economists
- State median wage
- $136,150
- Middle 50% wage range
- $79,790–$172,860
- State employment
- 290
- Projected growth
- +4.7%
- Annual openings
- 1,100
25-1063Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $114,200
- Middle 50% wage range
- $77,750–$147,090
- State employment
- 490
- Projected growth
- +2.4%
- Annual openings
- 1,000
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in North Carolina; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon University | Elon | $89,685 | $20,500 |
| 2 | Duke University | Durham | $88,459 | $14,016 |
| 3 | Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | $85,668 | $23,133 |
| 4 | High Point University | High Point | $72,564 | Not available |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | $72,001 | $15,100 |
| 6 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh | $62,824 | $23,457 |
| 7 | East Carolina University | Greenville | $60,419 | $25,000 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington | $58,258 | $22,250 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | $57,273 | $24,000 |
| 10 | University of North Carolina Asheville | Asheville | $55,698 | $25,821 |
| 11 | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro | $55,572 | $29,264 |
| 12 | Appalachian State University | Boone | $54,344 | $21,500 |
| 13 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke | $53,779 | $26,500 |
| 14 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | $52,077 | $25,000 |
| 15 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | $51,657 | $25,000 |
| 16 | North Carolina Central University | Durham | $47,317 | $31,000 |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Political Science and Government in North Carolina
What do Political Science and Government bachelor's degree graduates earn in North Carolina?
Across 16 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $57,273 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $24,000 among the 15 programs reporting federal debt.
Which North Carolina colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Elon University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.