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

13 Colleges in the United States
549 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$37,666 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government 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 22 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for political science & government students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science & Government in Wisconsin

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science & government education in Wisconsin.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in political science & government. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 288 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $42,063 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Marquette University awarded about 52 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $38,225. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Marquette University

3

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #3. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 26 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $35,281 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

4

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #4. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 40 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $26,268 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $23,968 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

5

Saint Norbert College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 14 political science & government degrees were awarded at Saint Norbert College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $48,421 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,578. See the full political science & government program report for Saint Norbert College

6

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #6 spot for political science & government this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 10 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $42,366 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,015 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

7
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College placed #7 among the best political science & government schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ripon. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 10 political science & government degrees were awarded at Ripon College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Ripon College earn around $35,385 in the first couple years of their career. Ripon College graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Ripon College

8

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn around $41,455 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

9

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #9 spot for political science & government this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 44 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $40,487. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

10
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College earned the #10 position for political science & government this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Carthage College graduates 64% of students within six years. Carthage College awarded about 17 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $24,259 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,190. More information about a degree in political science & government from Carthage College

11

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #11 position for political science & government this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 36 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $40,115. Students borrow a median of $25,791 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

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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 · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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