Political Science 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.
College Factual analyzed 1264 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best political science schools.
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.
The school you choose for political science can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Political Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Political Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Political Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh 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.
Best Schools for Political Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the best school in the country for a degree in political science. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 216 political science students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science 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 science details for Georgetown University
Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 103 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $83,555 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Johns Hopkins University
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 108 political science students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $54,970 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,016.
See the full political science program report for Duke University
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #4. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 96 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Chicago earn around $56,022 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for political science. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 232 political science students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $61,543 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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Dartmouth College landed the #6 spot for political science this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 122 political science students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $72,618 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
More information about a degree in political science from Dartmouth College
Northwestern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 political science degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $54,737. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans.
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Vanderbilt University placed #8 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 67 political science degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $46,843. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at Vanderbilt University
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for political science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 112 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $65,473 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $14,722 in student loans.
Read more about the political science program at University Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 210 political science students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in political science from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Stanford University earned the #11 position for political science this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 100 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $59,297. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the political science program at Stanford University
Boston College came in at #12 for political science this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 123 political science students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Boston College earn around $46,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Boston College
Colgate University landed the #13 spot for political science this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 80 political science degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $56,064. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans.
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Tufts University came in at #14 for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tufts University awarded about 51 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $67,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Tufts University
Yale University came in at #15 for political science this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 154 political science degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $57,466. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
More information about a degree in political science from Yale University
Bowdoin College placed #16 among the best political science schools. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. About 60 political science degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $60,626. Bowdoin College graduates carry a median of $19,634 in student loans.
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Washington University In St Louis placed #17 among the best political science schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 political science students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
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University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #18 spot for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 303 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $39,404 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,485.
See the full political science program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wesleyan University graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 political science students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
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Barnard College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Barnard College awarded about 61 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $57,298. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Read more about the political science program at Barnard College
Lafayette College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. About 88% of students finish within six years. Lafayette College awarded about 43 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $48,112 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,640 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #22 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 282 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Brown University placed #23 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 54 political science students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Brown University earn a median of $54,634 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,481.
More information about a degree in political science from Brown University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #24 for political science this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 421 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $45,418. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
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Princeton University landed the #25 spot for political science this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Princeton University awarded about 95 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $63,317 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
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Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for political science this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1264 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).
