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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Political Science Schools in New York

52 Colleges in the United States
2,835 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$40,034 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools to find the best for political science students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science in New York

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
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University tops our 2026 ranking of the best political science schools. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 80 political science degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Colgate University earn around $56,064 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,250. Get the full political science details for Colgate University

2
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Barnard College one of the top schools for political science. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Barnard College awarded about 61 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Barnard College earn around $57,298 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full political science details for Barnard College

3

Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 121 political science degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $60,292 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Cornell University

4
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #4. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 17 political science degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $58,807 early in their careers. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Hamilton College

5
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 215 political science students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $50,783 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for New York University

6

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #6 spot for political science this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 277 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $61,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,943. Read more about the political science program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

7
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College earned the #7 position for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 30 political science degrees were awarded at Vassar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $48,679 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Get the full political science details for Vassar College

8

University Of Rochester earned the #8 position for political science this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,921 in their early career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at University Of Rochester

9
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University landed the #9 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 17 political science students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Yeshiva University

10

Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 36 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $72,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Get the full political science details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

11

Suny At Binghamton landed the #11 spot for political science this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 107 political science students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,194 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Suny At Binghamton

12

Fordham University earned the #12 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 141 political science students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Fordham University earn around $41,809 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,575. See the full political science program report for Fordham University

13
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #13 spot for political science this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 113 political science degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Stony Brook University earn around $36,480 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,406. More information about a degree in political science from Stony Brook University

14
Union College New York crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY

Union College New York placed #14 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 27 political science students who graduated with this degree at Union College New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Union College New York earn around $49,759 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,899. Read more about the political science program at Union College New York

15
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #15 for political science this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 139 political science students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Syracuse University earn around $43,232 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,799 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Syracuse University

16
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #16 for political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 102 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Cuny Hunter College

17
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College placed #17 among the best political science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 27 political science degrees were awarded at Skidmore College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $42,756 in their early career. Skidmore College graduates carry a median of $23,025 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Skidmore College

18

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #18 for political science this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College awarded about 81 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

19

Cuny Queens College earned the #19 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 political science students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,863 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full political science details for Cuny Queens College

20
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Hofstra University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 political science students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $32,504 in their early career. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Hofstra University

21

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 99 political science degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,820 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

22
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #22 for political science this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Suny At Albany awarded about 128 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $33,251 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,750. More information about a degree in political science from Suny At Albany

23

Cuny Lehman College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 26 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $43,059 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Cuny Lehman College

24

Saint John Fisher College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint John Fisher College awarded about 10 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Saint John Fisher College earn a median of $55,630 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,086 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Saint John Fisher College

25

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #25 position for political science this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 53 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Cuny Brooklyn College earn around $29,577 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $16,274 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Cuny Brooklyn College

Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong political science education:

26
27
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
28
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
29
30
31
32
33
34
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
35
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY
36
37
38
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
39
40
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Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY
41
42
43
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Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
44
Alfred University crest
Alfred University
Alfred, NY
45
46
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY
47
48
Le Moyne College crest
Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY
49
Ithaca College crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
50

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Notes and References

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 · 77 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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