Online Political Science Degrees

Over the past few years, politics has remained at the forefront of public attention and experienced many big events. Individuals with a deeper interest in the events, such as forming personal poll projections, might enjoy a career in political science.

Aspiring political scientists currently enjoy good job prospects. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), political scientists earn a median annual salary of $125,350. Additionally, the BLS projects the need for political science jobs to increase by 6% between 2019-2029.

Keep reading to learn more about the best programs for an online political science degree. Our guide covers frequently asked questions about a bachelor’s degree in political science, career outlooks for political science jobs, and available scholarships.

Individuals who enjoy researching politics and analyzing data often enjoy political science jobs. Many find the rewarding pay makes earning the degree worthwhile.

Political science degree-holders work on political campaigns or as political scientists. Some political science majors choose to run for a local or federal office position.

A political science degree prepares learners to enter politics, while a law degree best suits individuals aspiring to become lawyers.

Political scientists make the highest salary in this field, earning a median $125,350 salary annually.

Choosing a major aligned with personal interests positions graduates to earn satisfying jobs. Individuals who enjoy learning about politics, making predictions, interpreting data, and testing theories may benefit from earning a political science degree.

Aspiring political scientists who crave flexibility and possess self-discipline might consider pursuing an online political science degree. Online students typically save money on room and board, relocation costs, and commuting expenses. Some schools offer the same reduced in-state tuition rate to online learners. Since online political science degree-seekers do not attend class on campus, they usually do not pay campus maintenance fees.

While contacting a prospective school provides the most accurate degree cost estimate, degree-seekers should compare it to a baseline. National Center for Education Statistics data reveal that bachelor’s students spent $28,775 on average for tuition, fees, room, and board in 2019-20. Learners at public institutions spent an average of $21,035 on these same expenses that year.

When budgeting for college, individuals need to factor in living expenses. Pursuing an online political science degree may help individuals save on room and board, as well as commuting costs.

Filling out the FAFSA may lower out-of-pocket expenses. The government uses this information to offer grants and subsidized loans. Learners should also apply for scholarships to reduce the overall cost. We highlight some example scholarships in a further section.

The BLS offers useful data on the political science profession, including details on salaries for different political science jobs. Political scientists earn a median salary of $125,350. Earners in the lowest 10% make under $62,840 and professionals in the top 10% benefit from a $170,800 salary.

Several factors impact income, including employer type and location. Self-employed political scientists in large cities may earn more than political scientists working for rural local governments. Professionals with more years of experience typically make more than entry-level workers.

Individuals wanting to earn more money may decide to extend their education past a bachelor’s degree in political science. Political scientists may also increase their pay by earning certifications, which we discuss in a later section.

Through their studies, political science students learn about policies, political forecasting, and political theories. Many of this major’s courses encourage classroom discussions and critical thinking.

A bachelor’s degree in political science requires class participation, multiple-choice exams, essays, and presentations. Learners practice presenting research findings, submit articles for publication, and closely monitor current political events. Some programs may require an internship for class credit, but many internships offer a wage in addition to the credit.

In this section, we outline three common political science courses. While not every program offers these exact courses, this list represents a possible curriculum.

While political scientists do not need a certification or license to practice, earning certifications allows professionals to demonstrate their expertise. Most certifications require on-the-job experience and a multiple-choice exam. In this section, we list three standard political science designations.

Learners save money on their online political science degree by applying for scholarships. These awards typically require essays, official transcripts, and multiple reference letters, so students should budget enough time to gather materials. Below, see two scholarships reserved exclusively for political science degree-seekers.