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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Political Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

45 Colleges in the United States
1,476 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$38,981 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 109 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 the The Plains States 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

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 76 political science students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $68,303 in their early career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 162 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $40,208 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $20,465 in student loans. See the full political science program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 218 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $37,722 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $22,517 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at University Of Missouri Columbia

4
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 political science students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $36,662 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Grinnell College

5

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 32 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $13,102 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from University Of Missouri Kansas City

6
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 103 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $33,700. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,249 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at University Of Kansas

7

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #7 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 88 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $36,364 in their early career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

8
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #8 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 128 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $39,133. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at University Of Iowa

9
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College landed the #9 spot for political science this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. St Olaf College awarded about 30 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $30,953. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Get the full political science details for St Olaf College

10

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #10 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $38,942. Students borrow a median of $20,089 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

11

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 15 political science degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $34,775 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

12
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College earned the #12 position for political science this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. About 33 political science degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $39,439. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full political science details for Macalester College

13
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University landed the #13 spot for political science this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 political science students who graduated with this degree at Truman State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $39,813 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,649. See the full political science program report for Truman State University

14

Iowa State University landed the #14 spot for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 51 political science degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Iowa State University earn around $30,715 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Iowa State University

15

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 15 political science degrees were awarded at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Southeast Missouri State University

16
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College came in at #16 for political science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Indianola. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 10 political science degrees were awarded at Simpson College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $48,888 early in their careers. Simpson College graduates carry a median of $26,816 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Simpson College

17

Creighton University landed the #17 spot for political science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 political science degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $35,311 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625. Get the full political science details for Creighton University

18

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #18 for political science this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 political science degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,944 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full political science program report for Missouri State University Springfield

19

Washburn University placed #19 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 13 political science students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Typical student debt for the program is $21,175. Get the full political science details for Washburn University

20

Kansas State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. About 22 political science degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $32,289 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Kansas State University

21
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University placed #21 among the best political science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 60% of students finish within six years. Hamline University awarded about 16 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Hamline University earn around $35,354 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full political science program report for Hamline University

22

North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 political science students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,475. Read more about the political science program at North Dakota State University Main Campus

23

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #23 for political science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Peter. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Gustavus Adolphus College awarded about 25 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $38,463 early in their careers. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Gustavus Adolphus College

24

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #24 spot for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $36,050. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Get the full political science details for University Of Missouri St Louis

25

University Of North Dakota earned the #25 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $64,378 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110. Read more about the political science program at University Of North Dakota

Rest of the Top 36 Political Science Schools

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

26
27
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN
28
29
30
31
32
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO
33
34
35
36

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 109 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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