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

25 Colleges in the United States
1,367 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$47,840 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political 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 42 schools to find the best for political science students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science in Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in Political Science

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best school in the country for a degree in political science. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 232 political science students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $61,543 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Harvard University

2
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Boston College awarded about 123 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Boston College earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Boston College

3
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

A rank of #3 makes Tufts University one of the top schools for political science. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Tufts University awarded about 51 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $67,713 early in their careers. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,725 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Tufts University

4

A rank of #4 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for political science. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 25 political science degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $113,129 in their early career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

5
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

A rank of #5 makes Williams College one of the top schools for political science. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Williams College awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Williams College earn around $56,817 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,750. See the full political science program report for Williams College

6
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College placed #6 among the best political science schools. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. Wellesley College awarded about 36 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $50,214 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Wellesley College

7
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College earned the #7 position for political science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Amherst College awarded about 16 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Amherst College earn around $61,125 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398. See the full political science program report for Amherst College

8

Northeastern University earned the #8 position for political science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 128 political science degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $52,516. Students borrow a median of $22,579 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Northeastern University

9

College Of The Holy Cross landed the #9 spot for political science this year. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 109 political science students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $47,029 in their early career. College Of The Holy Cross graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from College Of The Holy Cross

10

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #10 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 159 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,865. Get the full political science details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

11
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #11 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston University awarded about 135 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Boston University earn a median of $45,021 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in political science from Boston University

12
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #12 for political science this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 41 political science degrees were awarded at Smith College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $42,327. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the political science program at Smith College

13
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College landed the #13 spot for political science this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Mount Holyoke College graduates 84% of students within six years. Mount Holyoke College awarded about 21 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $48,690 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the political science program at Mount Holyoke College

14
Stonehill College crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stonehill College awarded about 13 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Stonehill College earn a median of $45,195 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in political science from Stonehill College

15

Suffolk University landed the #15 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suffolk University awarded about 54 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $44,845. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Suffolk University

16

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #16 for political science this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 50 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $34,499 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,824. More information about a degree in political science from University Of Massachusetts Boston

17

Bridgewater State University placed #17 among the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $42,476 in their early career. Bridgewater State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Bridgewater State University

18
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University landed the #18 spot for political science this year. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 political science degrees were awarded at Clark University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Clark University earn a median of $33,625 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Clark University

19
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College placed #19 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Simmons College awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $39,657. Students borrow a median of $25,330 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Simmons College

20

University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #20 among the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 19 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn around $35,330 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

21

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $36,718 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,947 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

22

Wheaton College Massachusetts came in at #22 for political science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Norton. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 political science students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Massachusetts in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts generally make around $32,669. Students borrow a median of $26,298 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Wheaton College Massachusetts

23
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College earned the #23 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Assumption College graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 political science students who graduated with this degree at Assumption College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $38,496 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full political science details for Assumption College

24

Salem State University landed the #24 spot for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Salem State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 political science students who graduated with this degree at Salem State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Salem State University earn around $49,656 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Salem State University

25

Framingham State University earned the #25 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 13 political science degrees were awarded at Framingham State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $37,661. Typical student debt for the program is $25,872. More information about a degree in political science from Framingham State University

Rest of the Top 26 Political Science Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science ranking:

26

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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 · 42 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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