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Featured Political Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
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.
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Best Schools for Political Science in California
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.
Top Schools in Political Science
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for political science. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 100 political science students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $59,297 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Stanford University
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 303 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $16,485 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 421 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $45,418 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Santa Clara University, which ranked #4. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 political science students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $57,111 in their early career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for Santa Clara University
Claremont Mckenna College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. About 91% of students finish within six years. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 30 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Claremont Mckenna College earn around $42,552 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Claremont Mckenna College
University Of Southern California landed the #6 spot for political science this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 124 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $38,063 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,869 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 708 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,392 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full political science details for University Of California Los Angeles
San Jose State University came in at #8 for political science this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 political science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full political science details for San Jose State University
University Of California Davis came in at #9 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 232 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $36,208. Typical student debt for the program is $14,250.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of California Davis
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #10 for political science this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 97 political science degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $37,003 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,665 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Pomona College came in at #11 for political science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Pomona College awarded about 22 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $75,954 in their early career.
Get the full political science details for Pomona College
University Of California Irvine ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 265 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $31,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for University Of California Irvine
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 128 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $31,882 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,782 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at University Of California Santa Cruz
San Francisco State University placed #14 among the best political science schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 118 political science degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from San Francisco State University earn around $36,502 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
Read more about the political science program at San Francisco State University
San Diego State University earned the #15 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 142 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $38,060 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,068 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from San Diego State University
El Camino Community College District landed the #16 spot for political science this year. 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.
See the full political science program report for El Camino Community College District
University Of California San Diego ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 285 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $33,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,030 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for University Of California San Diego
Scripps College placed #18 among the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 political science students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year.
See the full political science program report for Scripps College
Pepperdine University earned the #19 position for political science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 political science students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $42,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,625.
See the full political science program report for Pepperdine University
California State University Sacramento landed the #20 spot for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 190 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $36,189. Students borrow a median of $16,084 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for California State University Sacramento
California State University East Bay earned the #21 position for political science this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. About 52 political science degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from California State University East Bay earn around $40,460 in the first couple years of their career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $19,544 in student loans.
Read more about the political science program at California State University East Bay
University Of San Francisco placed #22 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of San Francisco awarded about 46 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $40,056 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Get the full political science details for University Of San Francisco
Chapman University came in at #23 for political science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 46 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,124 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,741 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for Chapman University
Loyola Marymount University earned the #24 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 91 political science degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $31,033 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,146 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for Loyola Marymount University
Claremont Graduate University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. About 12 political science degrees were awarded at Claremont Graduate University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Claremont Graduate University generally make around $68,239.
Get the full political science details for Claremont Graduate University
Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong political science education:
