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Why and Where You Should Study Political Science in the USA

BrainGain magazine brings you great reasons for choosing to study Political Science in the States and the best universities to study in.

BY Resham Mukherjee | 04-08-2015

A degree in political science typically involves extensive research, writing and analyzing. Education portals quoting theUS Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) claim that around 5,640 people were employed in 2014 throughout the US as political scientists, more than half with the federal government. Job growth in the field of political science was estimated to increase by 21% between 2012 and 2022.

Political science deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, which is concerned with determining of the distribution of
power and resources.

Recent graduates from top political science departments obtained teaching positions at premier universities, including University of Michigan, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, and others. Possible career options for those with a Bachelor's degree include jobs in law, media, and government service, as well as in middle or high school level education, and non-profit organizations. With a master's, one can work in research or administration or as a teacher.

A salary difference is likely between a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The former may be lower, while both will have lower salaries than Graduates with master's or Ph.D. degrees.

According to 2014 statistics released by PayScale.com, graduates with a B.Sc. degree earned up to USD 34,395, with less than one year of experience, increasing up to USD 60,505 with 5-9 years of experience. At 20 plus years the salary is around USD 89,025. Those with a BA degree were USD 39,786 with less than one year of experience, USD 59, 526 at 5-9 years, and more than USD 95,737 at 20 plus years.

According to PayScale.com, in 2015, PhD holders had an average annual salary of USD 53,500 at 1-4 years of work experience. At 5-9 years, the median was USD 60,000, while those with 20 plus years of experience earned a median of USD 120, 000.

Job avenues for Graduates:

Government departments, scientific research organisations, development services, management and technical consulting services, colleges and local universities.

Here are the top 10 US Universities to read Political Science.

Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts

Courses: