by our College Data Analytics TeamPolitical Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1264 schools to find the best for political science students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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.
Below are the best political science schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
El Camino Community College District tops our 2026 ranking of the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. About 64 political science degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year. Get the full political science details for El Camino Community College District
Orange Coast College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 43 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $46,306 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Orange Coast College
De Anza College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. About 35 political science degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. Read more about the political science program at De Anza College
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Diablo Valley College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Diablo Valley College awarded about 25 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. More information about a degree in political science from Diablo Valley College
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 25 political science degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Get the full political science details for Santa Rosa Junior College
College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. College Of The Canyons awarded about 37 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. Read more about the political science program at College Of The Canyons
American River College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. American River College awarded about 19 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from American River College earn around $76,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. More information about a degree in political science from American River College
Moorpark College landed the #8 spot for political science this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 36 political science students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Moorpark College earn around $105,599 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Moorpark College
Cerritos College came in at #9 for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Cerritos College awarded about 22 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Cerritos College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #10 position for political science this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 39 political science students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384. See the full political science program report for Mt San Antonio College
Foothill College placed #11 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 12 political science degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Foothill College
Santa Barbara City College landed the #12 spot for political science this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. There were roughly 48 political science students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Santa Barbara City College
East Los Angeles College earned the #13 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. East Los Angeles College awarded about 36 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for East Los Angeles College
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #14 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Valley Glen. About 48 political science degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Los Angeles Valley College graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Los Angeles Valley College
San Diego Miramar College came in at #15 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 22 political science degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098. Read more about the political science program at San Diego Miramar College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #16 spot for political science this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 10 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn around $30,111 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Saddleback College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Saddleback College awarded about 51 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $15,890 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. See the full political science program report for Saddleback College
Sierra College came in at #18 for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. About 26 political science degrees were awarded at Sierra College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $29,214 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Sierra College
Cuesta College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. About 11 political science degrees were awarded at Cuesta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $64,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. Read more about the political science program at Cuesta College
Sacramento City College earned the #20 position for political science this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 22 political science degrees were awarded at Sacramento City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180. Read more about the political science program at Sacramento City College
Salt Lake Community College came in at #21 for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. About 21 political science degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,855. See the full political science program report for Salt Lake Community College
Santiago Canyon College came in at #22 for political science this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. About 32 political science degrees were awarded at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,100 in their early career. Santiago Canyon College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Santiago Canyon College
Santa Monica College earned the #23 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Santa Monica College awarded about 124 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full political science details for Santa Monica College
Austin Community College District placed #24 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 political science students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,333 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Austin Community College District
Grossmont College earned the #25 position for political science this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Grossmont College awarded about 22 political science degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in political science from Grossmont College
These schools also placed among the best for political science this year:
Explore the best political science schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
