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

12 Colleges in the United States
483 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$42,674 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.

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 Missouri

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

Top Schools in Political Science

1

No school ranked higher than Washington University In St Louis this year for political science. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 76 political science degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. 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. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,722 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

3

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. 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. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. 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

4
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

A rank of #4 makes Truman State University one of the top schools for political science. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Truman State University awarded about 20 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,649 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Truman State University

5

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Southeast Missouri State University

6

Missouri State University Springfield placed #6 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 political science students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,944. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Missouri State University Springfield

7

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #7 position for political science this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 29 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Missouri St Louis earn around $36,050 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. See the full political science program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

8

Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #8 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 46 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $30,502 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus

9
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University landed the #9 spot for political science this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Drury University awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,267 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,641 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Drury University

10

University Of Central Missouri came in at #10 for political science this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,556 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,678 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Central Missouri

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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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