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

17 Colleges in the United States
1,328 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$41,050 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.

College Factual analyzed 40 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 North Carolina

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
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 108 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Duke University earn a median of $54,970 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Duke University

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 282 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,200 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #3. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 124 political science degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Wake Forest University earn around $47,161 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $23,133 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Wake Forest University

4
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 44 political science degrees were awarded at Davidson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Davidson College earn around $46,232 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Davidson College

5

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 156 political science degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,321 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $23,457 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

6

Elon University ranked #6 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. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 55 political science students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $38,836 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Elon University

7
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #7 among the best political science schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 16 political science degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. High Point University graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from High Point University

8

East Carolina University earned the #8 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. East Carolina University awarded about 51 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from East Carolina University earn around $35,627 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 East Carolina University

9
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University landed the #9 spot for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 13 political science students who graduated with this degree at Wingate University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $53,836 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,556 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Wingate University

10

Appalachian State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 99 political science students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $30,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Appalachian State University

11

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #11 spot for political science this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 28 political science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,124. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

12

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #12 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 150 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $32,780 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full political science program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

13

Western Carolina University placed #13 among the best political science schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 political science students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Western Carolina University

14

North Carolina A And T State University placed #14 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. North Carolina A And T State University graduates 57% of students within six years. North Carolina A And T State University awarded about 30 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $42,310. North Carolina A And T State University graduates carry a median of $29,264 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at North Carolina A And T State University

15

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. About 57 political science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $30,925 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

16

University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #16 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Asheville awarded about 26 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $23,964 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. See the full political science program report for University Of North Carolina At Asheville

17

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #17 for political science this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke awarded about 19 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $22,223 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

18

Winston Salem State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 10 political science students who graduated with this degree at Winston Salem State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $26,725. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Winston Salem State University

19

North Carolina Central University landed the #19 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina Central University awarded about 25 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $24,948. North Carolina Central University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Get the full political science details for North Carolina Central University

20

Fayetteville State University landed the #20 spot for political science this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fayetteville State University awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Fayetteville State University earn around $41,449 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,390. Get the full political science details for Fayetteville State University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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