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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Political Science Schools in Ohio

22 Colleges in the United States
1,033 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$38,516 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best political science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science in Ohio

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

1

Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 300 political science students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,977 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Ohio State University Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes Miami University Oxford one of the top schools for political science. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. About 139 political science degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $46,428 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the political science program at Miami University Oxford

3
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

A rank of #3 makes Kenyon College one of the top schools for political science. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 political science students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Kenyon College earn around $39,550 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,354. Read more about the political science program at Kenyon College

4

University Of Dayton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #4. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 34 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $56,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,747. Read more about the political science program at University Of Dayton

5
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

A rank of #5 makes Cedarville University one of the top schools for political science. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Cedarville University awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $57,104 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,110. Read more about the political science program at Cedarville University

6

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 for political science this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 84 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $37,360 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

7
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University earned the #7 position for political science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 68% of students finish within six years. Xavier University awarded about 19 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,710 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the political science program at Xavier University

8
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University landed the #8 spot for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 political science degrees were awarded at Denison University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Denison University earn a median of $31,272 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Denison University

9
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University placed #9 among the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. John Carroll University graduates 79% of students within six years. John Carroll University awarded about 25 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $28,507. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for John Carroll University

10

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 92 political science degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $38,753 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Ohio University Main Campus

11

Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 political science students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $43,020. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Franciscan University Of Steubenville

12
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College landed the #12 spot for political science this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Oberlin College awarded about 26 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $30,187 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,314. More information about a degree in political science from Oberlin College

13

Case Western Reserve University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 22 political science degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Case Western Reserve University

14

The College Of Wooster landed the #14 spot for political science this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. The College Of Wooster awarded about 28 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $38,727. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full political science details for The College Of Wooster

15

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for political science this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 22 political science students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $37,329 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in political science from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

16

Cleveland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 political science degrees were awarded at Cleveland State University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $26,204 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,375. Read more about the political science program at Cleveland State University

17

Kent State University At Kent came in at #17 for political science this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 48 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $31,389 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full political science details for Kent State University At Kent

18

University Of Toledo earned the #18 position for political science this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Toledo awarded about 20 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Toledo earn around $32,586 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the political science program at University Of Toledo

19

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Wright State University Main Campus awarded about 14 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Wright State University Main Campus earn around $27,477 in the first couple years of their career. Wright State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Wright State University Main Campus

20

Youngstown State University landed the #20 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 27 political science degrees were awarded at Youngstown State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $28,148. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Youngstown State University

21

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #21 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $26,574 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,983. Get the full political science details for University Of Akron Main Campus

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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