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

15 Colleges in the United States
349 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$36,779 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 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 Minnesota

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

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 school for political science & government. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 162 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $40,208 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,465 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #2 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 Northfield. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $30,953 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the political science & government program at St Olaf College

3

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of Minnesota Duluth, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 21 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $38,942. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $20,089 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

4

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. About 15 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $34,775. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

5
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. Macalester College awarded about 33 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $39,439. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full political science & government program report for Macalester College

6
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #6 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 16 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Hamline University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Hamline University earn around $35,354 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Hamline University

7

Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #7 position for political science & government this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. About 25 political science & government degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $38,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Gustavus Adolphus College

8
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Collegeville. About 75% of students finish within six years. Saint Johns University awarded about 15 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Saint Johns University generally make around $20,939. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Saint Johns University

9

Winona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 14 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $35,631 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Winona State University

10

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #10 for political science & government this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $53,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,460. More information about a degree in political science & government from Minnesota State University Mankato

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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 · 24 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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