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

32 Colleges in the United States
1,478 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$41,861 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.

College Factual analyzed 85 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 Pennsylvania

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

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Leading the list is University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 school for political science & government. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 114 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,473 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,722 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #2. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 210 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science & government program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 60 political science & government degrees were awarded at Lafayette College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Lafayette College earn around $48,112 in the first couple years of their career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $13,640 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Lafayette College

4
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lewisburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Bucknell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $53,012 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Bucknell University

5
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Swarthmore College awarded about 25 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $40,449 in their early career. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Swarthmore College

6
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #6 for political science & government this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. Lehigh University awarded about 38 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $53,632 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,150 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Lehigh University

7
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College placed #7 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at Haverford College in the most recent year. See the full political science & government program report for Haverford College

8
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Villanova University awarded about 92 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Villanova University earn around $46,549 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,620 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Villanova University

9
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College landed the #9 spot for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Carlisle. Dickinson College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 29 political science & government degrees were awarded at Dickinson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Dickinson College earn around $37,507 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full political science & government details for Dickinson College

10

Franklin And Marshall College placed #10 among the best political science & government schools. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 political science & government degrees were awarded at Franklin And Marshall College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $45,928 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the political science & government program at Franklin And Marshall College

11

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #11 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. About 30 political science & government degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. See the full political science & government program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

12
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College earned the #12 position for political science & government this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 10 political science & government degrees were awarded at Messiah College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $48,957 early in their careers. Messiah College graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Messiah College

13
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College earned the #13 position for political science & government this year. Set in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gettysburg College awarded about 64 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $43,322 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Gettysburg College

14

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 23 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in political science & government from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #15 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 105 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $35,390. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

16

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 political science & government degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in political science & government from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

17

Pennsylvania Western University earned the #17 position for political science & government this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 17 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. See the full political science & government program report for Pennsylvania Western University

18
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University earned the #18 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 14 political science & government degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $38,894 in their early career. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Saint Josephs University

19

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates 26% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent data year. See the full political science & government program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

20

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #20 among the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Erie. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College awarded about 12 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science & government program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College

21
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College came in at #21 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Muhlenberg College graduates 82% of students within six years. Muhlenberg College awarded about 20 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $25,058 early in their careers. Muhlenberg College graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Muhlenberg College

22
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University placed #22 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 22 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $28,840. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. See the full political science & government program report for Duquesne University

23
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 132 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Temple University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. Temple University graduates carry a median of $25,815 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Temple University

24
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grove City. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Grove City College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in political science & government from Grove City College

25

University Of Scranton earned the #25 position for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 17 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $56,861 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Scranton

Rest of the Top 41 Political Science & Government Schools

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

26
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
27
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
28
29
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA
30
31
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA
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33
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35
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37
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39
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
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Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania crest
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA

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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 · 85 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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