Political Economy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Political Economy explores the dynamic interplay between political systems and economic forces in shaping public policy and societal outcomes. This interdisciplinary field equips students with analytical tools to understand how institutions, power structures, and market dynamics influence decision-making at local, national, and global levels.
- Microeconomics: Examines individual and firm-level decision-making, market behavior, and resource allocation to assess how economic incentives affect political choices and policy design.
- Macroeconomics: Focuses on large-scale economic phenomena such as inflation, unemployment, economic growth, and fiscal policy, analyzing their implications for governance and national policy frameworks.
- Political Theory: Investigates foundational ideas about power, justice, rights, and governance to critically evaluate the philosophical underpinnings of economic and political institutions.
- American Political Economy: Analyzes the structure and functioning of the U.S. political and economic system, including the role of government regulation, interest groups, and electoral politics in shaping economic outcomes.
- Comparative Political Economy: Compares economic systems and policy approaches across different countries to identify patterns in development, welfare models, and state-market relationships.
- International Political Economy: Studies global economic interactions, trade systems, financial markets, and transnational institutions, emphasizing how power and cooperation shape cross-border economic policies.
- Quantitative Methods: Develops proficiency in statistical analysis, econometrics, and data modeling to evaluate policy impacts and test theoretical hypotheses using empirical evidence.
Political Economy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Political Economy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Political Economy degrees, including Political Scientists, Managers, All Other and Economics Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 715,340 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Scientists 19-3094 | $139,380 | $74,750 - $191,880 | 5,950 | $67.01 |
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1063 | $119,980 | $57,550 - $217,160 | 12,420 | N/A |
| Economists 19-3011 | $115,440 | $62,340 - $212,710 | 15,880 | $55.50 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1065 | $94,680 | $50,490 - $173,380 | 17,170 | N/A |
| Social Science Research Assistants 19-4061 | $58,040 | $36,410 - $100,620 | 32,940 | $27.90 |
Political Economy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $72,630 in Florida to $135,990 in Delaware—a 87% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and Virginia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 715,340 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Political Economy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 19 institutions offering Political Economy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Political Economy is found at Georgetown University (GU) (53 graduates), University of Washington (UW Bothell), Bothell Campus (45 graduates), SUNY Old Westbury (38 graduates), Tulane University of Louisiana (33 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (21 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 266 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
|
53 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Washington (UW Bothell) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Bothell, Washington | Public | uwb.edu |
| SUNY Old Westbury |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Old Westbury, New York | Public | oldwestbury.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
33 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Puget Sound (UPS) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | pugetsound.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
10 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Hillsdale College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Hillsdale, Michigan | Private | hillsdale.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
8 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Rollins College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | rollins.edu |
| Rhodes College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | rhodes.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Northwestern (UNW) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | unwsp.edu |
| Temple University |
Other Award
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| La Salle University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Muhlenberg College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Private | muhlenberg.edu |
| Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Other Award
|
1 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Eastern Oregon University (EOU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | La Grande, Oregon | Public | eou.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Political Economy programs
How much can I earn with a Political Economy degree?
Salaries for Political Economy graduates vary by role and location. Political Scientists earn a median of $139,380 annually, while Managers, All Other earn around $136,550. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $135,990 compared to $72,630 in Florida. Approximately 715,340 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Political Economy programs?
Currently 19 accredited institutions offer Political Economy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Georgetown University (GU) (53 graduates), University of Washington (UW Bothell), Bothell Campus (45 graduates), and SUNY Old Westbury (38 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Political Economy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 72 in 2010 to a peak of 332 in 2020, before declining slightly to 266 in 2023-24. This represents a 269% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Political Economy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Political Scientists, Managers, All Other, and Economics Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 715,340 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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