Political Economy is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for political economy students pursuing a degree.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Where you study political economy matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Political Economy Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Political Economy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political economy. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 53 political economy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $64,297. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
Get the full political economy details for Georgetown University
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 political economy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political economy program make about $38,063 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,869 to complete this degree.
See the full political economy program report for University Of Southern California
Tulane University Of Louisiana is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 political economy degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $41,265. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political economy from Tulane University Of Louisiana
A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University one of the top schools for political economy. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 10 political economy students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political economy program make about $47,626 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,257.
Get the full political economy details for Arizona State University
University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 political economy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent data year. Political Economy graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full political economy details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #6 for political economy this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Suny College At Old Westbury awarded about 38 political economy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political economy program make about $34,666 in their early career. Suny College At Old Westbury graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
See the full political economy program report for Suny College At Old Westbury
University Of Puget Sound ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political economy schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Puget Sound awarded about 10 political economy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $31,290. University Of Puget Sound graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans.
Get the full political economy details for University Of Puget Sound
Political Economy is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
