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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Political Science & Government Associate’s Degree Schools

17 Colleges in the United States
1,798 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$50,380 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science & government programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1304 schools to find the best for political science & government students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the United States

See the highest-ranked political science & government schools offering a associate’s degree below.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

Leading the list is El Camino Community College District, our #1 school for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 64 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in political science & government from El Camino Community College District

2
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #2. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. There were roughly 43 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Orange Coast College

3
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. About 35 political science & government degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from De Anza College

4
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

A rank of #4 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for political science & government. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 25 political science & government degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. Get the full political science & government details for Diablo Valley College

5

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 25 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Santa Rosa Junior College

6
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. There were roughly 37 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. See the full political science & government program report for College Of The Canyons

7
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College earned the #7 position for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 19 political science & government degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for American River College

8
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College came in at #8 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. Moorpark College awarded about 36 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. Get the full political science & government details for Moorpark College

9
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 22 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306. See the full political science & government program report for Cerritos College

10

Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 for political science & government this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 39 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $44,391 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Mt San Antonio College

11
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College placed #11 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Foothill College

12
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. There were roughly 48 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Get the full political science & government details for Santa Barbara City College

13
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College landed the #13 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. About 36 political science & government degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at East Los Angeles College

14

Los Angeles Valley College placed #14 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public institution. Los Angeles Valley College awarded about 48 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Los Angeles Valley College graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Los Angeles Valley College

15

San Diego Miramar College placed #15 among the best political science & government schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 22 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from San Diego Miramar College

16

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #16 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $30,111 in their early career. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

17
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 51 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. Read more about the political science & government program at Saddleback College

18
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College came in at #18 for political science & government this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. There were roughly 26 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Sierra College

19
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at Cuesta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $64,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. Get the full political science & government details for Cuesta College

20
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 22 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $46,522 in their early career. Sacramento City College graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Sacramento City College

21
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College landed the #21 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. There were roughly 21 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,855. More information about a degree in political science & government from Salt Lake Community College

22

Santiago Canyon College placed #22 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Santiago Canyon College awarded about 32 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $34,100 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the political science & government program at Santiago Canyon College

23
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #23 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. Santa Monica College awarded about 124 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. See the full political science & government program report for Santa Monica College

24

Austin Community College District landed the #24 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 16 political science & government degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $44,895 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,333. Read more about the political science & government program at Austin Community College District

25
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College landed the #25 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. About 22 political science & government degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in political science & government from Grossmont College

Rest of the Top 50 Political Science & Government Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA
31
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
32
33
34
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA
35
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
36
37
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
38
39
40
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
41
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Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
42
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Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
43
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
44
45
46
47
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Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
48
49
50
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA

Other Political Science & Government Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Political Science & Government rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Political Science & Government
Bachelor's Degrees in Political Science & Government
Master's Degrees in Political Science & Government
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View All Political Science & Government Rankings >

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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 · 1304 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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