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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Political Science Schools in Maryland

13 Colleges in the United States
762 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$44,454 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for political science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science in Maryland

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science education in Maryland.

Top Schools in Political Science

1

Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 school for political science. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 103 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $83,555. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Johns Hopkins University

2

University Of Maryland College Park is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 277 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for University Of Maryland College Park

3

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at University Of Maryland Baltimore County, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the suburb of Baltimore. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Maryland Baltimore County awarded about 70 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $33,549 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Maryland Baltimore County

4
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 political science students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Towson University earn a median of $42,648 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Towson University

5

University Of Maryland University College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Adelphi. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. There were roughly 126 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $62,476 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,600. More information about a degree in political science from University Of Maryland University College

6
St Marys College Of Maryland crest
St Marys College Of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St Marys College Of Maryland earned the #6 position for political science this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 22 political science students who graduated with this degree at St Marys College Of Maryland in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. St Marys College Of Maryland graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at St Marys College Of Maryland

7

Loyola University Baltimore ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola University Baltimore awarded about 29 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Loyola University Baltimore earn around $44,572 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Loyola University Baltimore

8
Washington College crest
Washington College
Chestertown, MD

Washington College placed #8 among the best political science schools. Located in the town of Chestertown, Washington College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 16 political science degrees were awarded at Washington College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $36,741 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,721 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Washington College

9
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University landed the #9 spot for political science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 political science students who graduated with this degree at Salisbury University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $33,397 in their early career. Salisbury University graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Salisbury University

10

Morgan State University earned the #10 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at Morgan State University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $37,900 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. More information about a degree in political science from Morgan State University

11

Mount St Marys University came in at #11 for political science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 political science degrees were awarded at Mount St Marys University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Mount St Marys University generally make around $29,800. Mount St Marys University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Mount St Marys University

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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 · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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