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

12 Colleges in the United States
567 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$36,437 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 25 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 Tennessee

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

Top Schools in Political Science

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science. 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. About 67 political science degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in political science from Vanderbilt University

2
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Belmont University one of the top schools for political science. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 political science students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $49,699 in their early career. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Belmont University

3
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Rhodes College, which ranked #3. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rhodes College awarded about 19 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $35,537. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Rhodes College

4

The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 179 political science degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $29,728 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at The University Of Tennessee

5

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 political science degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $39,490 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $22,150 in student loans. Get the full political science details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

6

Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #6 position for political science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 28 political science degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $31,831. Students borrow a median of $24,267 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Sewanee The University Of The South

7

The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #7 for political science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Martin. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates 52% of students within six years. The University Of Tennessee Martin awarded about 16 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $40,400. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. See the full political science program report for The University Of Tennessee Martin

8

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #8 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 82 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $31,012 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Middle Tennessee State University

9

Tennessee Technological University came in at #9 for political science this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 political science degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,105 in their early career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Tennessee Technological University

10

East Tennessee State University came in at #10 for political science this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. East Tennessee State University awarded about 20 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $37,594. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from East Tennessee State University

11

University Of Memphis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $27,600 early in their careers. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of Memphis

12

Austin Peay State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 23 political science students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,635 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Austin Peay State University

13

Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best political science schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. About 35% of students finish within six years. Tennessee State University awarded about 20 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $35,206. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Tennessee State University

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Notes and References

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 · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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