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

17 Colleges in the United States
1,346 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$41,016 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science & government programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 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 North Carolina

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
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science & government. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 116 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $54,970 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Duke University

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 282 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

A rank of #3 makes Wake Forest University one of the top schools for political science & government. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wake Forest University awarded about 124 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $47,161 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,133. More information about a degree in political science & government from Wake Forest University

4
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Davidson College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 44 political science & government degrees were awarded at Davidson College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $46,232. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Davidson College

5

A rank of #5 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the top schools for political science & government. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 156 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,321 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,457 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

6

Elon University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. Elon University awarded about 55 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Elon University earn a median of $38,836 early in their careers. Elon University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Elon University

7
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University earned the #7 position for political science & government this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. High Point University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 16 political science & government degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. More information about a degree in political science & government from High Point University

8

East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 51 political science & government degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $35,627. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full political science & government program report for East Carolina University

9
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wingate University awarded about 13 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Wingate University earn around $53,836 in the first couple years of their career. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Wingate University

10

Appalachian State University came in at #10 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 99 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $30,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Appalachian State University

11

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #11 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $31,124 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. See the full political science & government program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

12

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #12 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 150 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $32,780 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

13

Western Carolina University landed the #13 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Western Carolina University awarded about 23 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $44,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full political science & government program report for Western Carolina University

14

North Carolina A And T State University earned the #14 position for political science & government this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $42,310. North Carolina A And T State University graduates carry a median of $29,264 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for North Carolina A And T State University

15

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #15 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn around $30,925 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full political science & government program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

16

Belmont Abbey College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Belmont Abbey College awarded about 10 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Belmont Abbey College generally make around $40,322. Students borrow a median of $27,140 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Belmont Abbey College

17

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #17 among the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Asheville. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 26 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Asheville in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,964 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for University Of North Carolina At Asheville

18

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #18 spot for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pembroke. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn around $22,223 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

19

Winston Salem State University came in at #19 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Winston Salem State University awarded about 10 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $26,725 in their early career. Winston Salem State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Winston Salem State University

20

North Carolina Central University placed #20 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 25 political science & government degrees were awarded at North Carolina Central University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $24,948. North Carolina Central University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for North Carolina Central University

21

Fayetteville State University came in at #21 for political science & government this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Fayetteville State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $41,449 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,390. More information about a degree in political science & government from Fayetteville State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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