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

11 Colleges in the United States
597 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$32,815 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 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 South Carolina

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

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

No school ranked higher than Clemson University this year for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Clemson University awarded about 108 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $28,041 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Clemson University

2

University Of South Carolina Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 207 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $33,157. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full political science & government program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

3

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina, which ranked #3. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $44,992 early in their careers. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina graduates carry a median of $20,817 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Citadel Military College Of South Carolina

4
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman 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 suburb of Greenville. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 political science & government degrees were awarded at Furman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $34,473. Furman University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Furman University

5
Wofford College crest
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Spartanburg. Wofford College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Wofford College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $34,277. Wofford College graduates carry a median of $26,825 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Wofford College

6

Presbyterian College came in at #6 for political science & government this year. Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Clinton. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 18 political science & government degrees were awarded at Presbyterian College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $34,712 in their early career. Presbyterian College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Presbyterian College

7
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #7 for political science & government this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. College Of Charleston awarded about 81 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $35,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full political science & government details for College Of Charleston

8

Coastal Carolina University earned the #8 position for political science & government this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Coastal Carolina University earn around $29,924 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full political science & government program report for Coastal Carolina University

9

University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. University Of South Carolina Upstate graduates 43% of students within six years. About 15 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Upstate in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of South Carolina Upstate earn around $35,798 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,000. See the full political science & government program report for University Of South Carolina Upstate

10
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University earned the #10 position for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 political science & government degrees were awarded at Lander University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $37,548 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,718. Get the full political science & government details for Lander University

11
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University came in at #11 for political science & government this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Winthrop University awarded about 22 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $21,165 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from Winthrop University

12

Francis Marion University landed the #12 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. Francis Marion University awarded about 12 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $24,289. Francis Marion University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Francis Marion University

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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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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