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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in Washington

13 Colleges in the United States
683 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$36,026 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best political science & government schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science & Government in Washington

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 & government degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Washington Seattle Campus this year for political science & government. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 287 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $41,246 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 41 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $41,246. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes Central Washington University one of the top schools for political science & government. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 17 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Central Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $39,220. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $16,936 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Central Washington University

4

Whitworth University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Spokane. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Whitworth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $43,933. Typical student debt for the program is $22,624. See the full political science & government program report for Whitworth University

5

Washington State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 89 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Washington State University earn around $41,130 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full political science & government details for Washington State University

6
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $41,474. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $20,449 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Seattle University

7
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University landed the #7 spot for political science & government this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 34 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Gonzaga University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Gonzaga University earn around $26,915 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,124. Read more about the political science & government program at Gonzaga University

8

Pacific Lutheran University came in at #8 for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Tacoma. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Pacific Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Pacific Lutheran University earn around $41,518 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250. More information about a degree in political science & government from Pacific Lutheran University

9

Western Washington University landed the #9 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $27,217 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431. More information about a degree in political science & government from Western Washington University

10
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College landed the #10 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Whitman College awarded about 19 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Whitman College earn around $27,689 in the first couple years of their career. Whitman College graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Whitman College

11

Eastern Washington University landed the #11 spot for political science & government this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Eastern Washington University awarded about 33 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $33,173. Typical student debt for the program is $21,412. More information about a degree in political science & government from Eastern Washington University

12

University Of Puget Sound placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tacoma. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Puget Sound in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Puget Sound earn around $31,290 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,801. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Puget Sound

13

Seattle Pacific University earned the #13 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 17 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $32,288 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,775. Get the full political science & government details for Seattle Pacific University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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