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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region

42 Colleges in the United States
3,402 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$40,873 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 112 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 the Southwest 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.

Top Schools in Political Science

1
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for political science. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 35 political science students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Rice University earn a median of $54,728 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Rice University

2

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 340 political science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full political science program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #3. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 252 political science degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,817 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $19,749 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Texas A And M University College Station

4

A rank of #4 makes Southern Methodist University one of the top schools for political science. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 55 political science degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $52,160 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the political science program at Southern Methodist University

5

University Of Tulsa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Tulsa graduates 72% of students within six years. About 13 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Tulsa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at University Of Tulsa

6

Texas Christian University earned the #6 position for political science this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 79 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $50,627 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Texas Christian University

7

Arizona State University came in at #7 for political science this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 372 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $47,626 in their early career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $19,257 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Arizona State University

8

University Of Dallas landed the #8 spot for political science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irving. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 32 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dallas in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $41,639 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Dallas

9

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #9 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 92 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $37,401 early in their careers. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

10

University Of Arizona earned the #10 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 146 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Arizona earn around $36,193 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,630 in student loans. See the full political science program report for University Of Arizona

11

Baylor University came in at #11 for political science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 120 political science degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $32,981. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Baylor University

12

Northern Arizona University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 political science students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $35,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the political science program at Northern Arizona University

13

Abilene Christian University came in at #13 for political science this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 political science students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $56,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Abilene Christian University

14

Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best political science schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. About 50 political science degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,484 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,107. More information about a degree in political science from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

15

University Of Houston ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 202 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $36,413 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full political science program report for University Of Houston

16

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates 76% of students within six years. About 77 political science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $34,429 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the political science program at The University Of Texas At Dallas

17

University Of North Texas came in at #17 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 83 political science degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of North Texas earn around $34,195 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from University Of North Texas

18

Arizona State University Skysong earned the #18 position for political science this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 170 political science students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $42,481. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. Get the full political science details for Arizona State University Skysong

19

University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #19 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. University Of North Texas At Dallas graduates 42% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Get the full political science details for University Of North Texas At Dallas

20

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #20 among the best political science schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 political science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $31,550. Students borrow a median of $20,406 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

21

University Of Houston Victoria landed the #21 spot for political science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Victoria. About 26% of students finish within six years. About 12 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,081. See the full political science program report for University Of Houston Victoria

22

Saint Edwards University landed the #22 spot for political science this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 political science students who graduated with this degree at Saint Edwards University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $34,570 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Saint Edwards University

23

Texas Womans University placed #23 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 24 political science degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $39,272. Typical student debt for the program is $30,162. Get the full political science details for Texas Womans University

24

Texas Tech University placed #24 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 142 political science degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,114 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375. Read more about the political science program at Texas Tech University

25

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #25 position for political science this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. About 10 political science degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Texas A And M University Central Texas

Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools

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

26
27
28
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX
29
30
31
32
33
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
34
35
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX
36
37
38
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
47
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
48
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
49
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 · 112 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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