Political Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 285 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best political science schools.
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Best Schools for Political Science in the Southeast Region
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.
Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in political science. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 108 political science degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Duke University earn a median of $54,970 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,016.
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Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 political science students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $46,843 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 282 political science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Typical student debt for the program is $15,100.
See the full political science program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 98 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $45,875 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans.
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Wake Forest University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 124 political science students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $47,161 in their early career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $23,133 in student loans.
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College Of William And Mary came in at #6 for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 138 political science students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $41,317 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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Davidson College placed #7 among the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Davidson College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 political science students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $46,232. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Davidson College
James Madison University came in at #8 for political science this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 129 political science students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,435 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
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University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 355 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $31,574 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,068.
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University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 257 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Georgia earn around $39,842 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,171 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for University Of Georgia
Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #11 among the best political science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 88 political science degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $41,265. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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George Mason University earned the #12 position for political science this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 political science degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,846. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
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Emory University landed the #13 spot for political science this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 67 political science students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $46,629 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,590.
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Florida State University came in at #14 for political science this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 501 political science students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,695 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for Florida State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #15 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 190 political science students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $42,114 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
More information about a degree in political science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Richmond placed #16 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $43,253 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,080 to complete this degree.
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Belmont University landed the #17 spot for political science this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 12 political science degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $49,699 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447.
More information about a degree in political science from Belmont University
University Of Miami placed #18 among the best political science schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 83 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $33,867 in their early career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of Miami
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #19 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 156 political science degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $38,321 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,457 to complete this degree.
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Elon University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 55 political science degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Elon University earn a median of $38,836 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full political science program report for Elon University
Washington And Lee University landed the #21 spot for political science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington And Lee University awarded about 32 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree.
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Clemson University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 108 political science degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Clemson University earn around $28,041 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree.
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Christopher Newport University came in at #23 for political science this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Christopher Newport University graduates 72% of students within six years. Christopher Newport University awarded about 53 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $43,508 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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High Point University came in at #24 for political science this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. High Point University awarded about 16 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785.
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Mercer University earned the #25 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 political science degrees were awarded at Mercer University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $56,699 early in their careers. Mercer University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 285 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
