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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the New England Region

57 Colleges in the United States
2,983 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$44,272 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 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 New England Region

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
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University tops our 2026 ranking of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 233 political science & government degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $61,543 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Harvard University

2
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Dartmouth College, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Dartmouth College awarded about 122 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $72,618 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the political science & government program at Dartmouth College

3
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #3. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 123 political science & government degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $46,764. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Boston College

4
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. Tufts University awarded about 51 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $67,713. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Tufts University

5
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 154 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Yale University earn a median of $57,466 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Get the full political science & government details for Yale University

6
Bowdoin College crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Brunswick. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. Bowdoin College awarded about 60 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $60,626. Students borrow a median of $19,634 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Bowdoin College

7
Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University came in at #7 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 political science & government degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Wesleyan University

8
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #8 position for political science & government this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 political science & government degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Brown University earn a median of $54,634 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,481 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Brown University

9
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 31 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Middlebury College earn around $59,026 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Middlebury College

10
Bates College crest
Bates College
Lewiston, ME

Bates College came in at #10 for political science & government this year. Bates College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Bates College awarded about 43 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Bates College earn a median of $41,055 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,532. Read more about the political science & government program at Bates College

11

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for political science & government this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $113,129 in the first couple years of their career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

12
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Williams College awarded about 12 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $56,817 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,750. More information about a degree in political science & government from Williams College

13
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College placed #13 among the best political science & government schools. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. About 36 political science & government degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $50,214. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. Get the full political science & government details for Wellesley College

14
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Amherst College awarded about 16 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Amherst College earn around $61,125 in the first couple years of their career. Amherst College graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Amherst College

15

Northeastern University landed the #15 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 150 political science & government degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Northeastern University earn around $52,516 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,579. See the full political science & government program report for Northeastern University

16

College Of The Holy Cross placed #16 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 109 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from College Of The Holy Cross earn around $47,029 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the political science & government program at College Of The Holy Cross

17

University Of Connecticut placed #17 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 195 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $37,009. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Connecticut

18
Trinity College crest
Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College earned the #18 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Trinity College awarded about 76 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $42,979 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full political science & government details for Trinity College

19

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #19 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 159 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $43,545 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,865. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

20
Colby College crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College placed #20 among the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Waterville. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Colby College awarded about 37 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $54,353. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from Colby College

21
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College earned the #21 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 47 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Providence College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Providence College earn a median of $43,911 early in their careers. Providence College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Providence College

22
Connecticut College crest
Connecticut College
New London, CT

Connecticut College placed #22 among the best political science & government schools. Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 24 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Connecticut College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Connecticut College earn a median of $46,588 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,800 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Connecticut College

23
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #23 for political science & government this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. Boston University awarded about 135 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $45,021 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from Boston University

24
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #24 for political science & government this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Smith College graduates 89% of students within six years. Smith College awarded about 41 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $42,327. Smith College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Smith College

25

Brandeis University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Brandeis University awarded about 29 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $43,770 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,333. More information about a degree in political science & government from Brandeis University

Rest of the Top 50 Political Science & Government Schools

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

26
Fairfield University crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT
27
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University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT
28
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA
29
Bryant University crest
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI
30
31
32
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Stonehill College
Easton, MA
33
Saint Anselm College crest
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH
34
35
36
37
38
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA
39
40
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA
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42
43
44
45
46
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT
47
48
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
49
50
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

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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 · 95 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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