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2024 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region

128 Colleges in the Southeast Region
11,287 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$32,164 Avg Early-Career Salary
Political Science & Government is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #20 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 128 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for political science & government students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 11,287 degrees in political science & government during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Political Science & Government School

Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region The political science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Political Science & Government rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for political science & government schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Political Science & Government Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Political Science
Master's Degrees in Political Science
Doctor's Degrees in Political Science

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the Southeast Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the political science degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

19 Top Southeast Region Schools in Political Science

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
136 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$43,130 Median Starting Salary

Duke University is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in political science & government. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were approximately 136 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year. Those political science & government students who get their degree from Duke University earn $10,966 more than the average political science student.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Duke University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
98 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$43,927 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in political science & government needs to look into Vanderbilt University. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were roughly 98 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Those political science & government students who get their degree from Vanderbilt University make $11,763 more than the average political science grad.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Vanderbilt University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
114 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$45,129 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in political science & government needs to take a look at University of Virginia - Main Campus. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were about 114 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Those political science & government students who get their degree from University of Virginia - Main Campus receive $12,965 more than the average political science graduate.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of Virginia - Main Campus

4
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
121 Political Science Degrees Awarded
15.7% Growth in Graduates

Emory University is a great decision for students interested in a degree in political science & government. Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were roughly 121 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the political science & government major at Emory University get $5,024 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Emory University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
360 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$35,909 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were about 360 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Political Science & Government degree recipients from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill get an earnings boost of around $3,745 above the average income of political science & government graduates.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 Political Science Degrees Awarded
10.2% Growth in Graduates

Washington and Lee is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Lexington. A Best Colleges rank of #83 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Washington and Lee is a great university overall.

There were roughly 59 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Washington and Lee in the most recent year we have data available. Political Science & Government degree recipients from Washington and Lee University earn a boost of around $15,067 above the typical earnings of political science & government graduates.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Washington and Lee University

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
407 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$28,878 Median Starting Salary

UF is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 407 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the political science program earn about $28,878 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of Florida

8
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
200 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$38,529 Median Starting Salary

Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were approximately 200 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the political science & government degree program at Virginia Tech earn $6,365 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Virginia Tech

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
190 Political Science Degrees Awarded
0.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #78 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Tulane is a great university overall.

There were about 190 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, political science degree recipients typically earn an average of $30,254 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Tulane University of Louisiana

10
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
125 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$49,727 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 4th out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 125 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Those political science & government students who get their degree from Wake Forest University make $17,563 more than the average political science student.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Wake Forest University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
242 Political Science Degrees Awarded
4.1% Growth in Graduates

UGA is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 242 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the political science program state that they receive average early career wages of $33,737.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of Georgia

12
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
170 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$43,630 Median Starting Salary

William & Mary is a moderately-sized public school located in the small suburb of Williamsburg. This school ranks 4th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 170 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at William & Mary in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the political science & government program at William & Mary earn $11,466 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in political science & government from William & Mary

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
217 Political Science Degrees Awarded
11.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 217 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available. Political Science & Government degree recipients from George Mason University receive an earnings boost of about $10,811 above the average earnings of political science & government graduates.

More information about a degree in political science & government from George Mason University

14
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
513 Political Science Degrees Awarded
12.7% Growth in Graduates

Florida State is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee. This university ranks 3rd out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 513 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available. Those political science & government students who get their degree from Florida State University earn $9,094 more than the standard political science student.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Florida State University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
200 Political Science Degrees Awarded
7.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 200 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the political science program earn around $31,397 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of South Carolina - Columbia

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
217 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$33,300 Median Starting Salary

UA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tuscaloosa. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were about 217 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, political science degree recipients generally make around $33,300 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in political science & government from The University of Alabama

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
184 Political Science Degrees Awarded
7.6% Growth in Graduates

UT Knoxville is a fairly large public university located in the city of Knoxville. This university ranks 2nd out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 184 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the political science program state that they receive average early career wages of $28,920.

More information about a degree in political science & government from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

18
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
100 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$32,000 Median Starting Salary

U Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Coral Gables. A Best Colleges rank of #91 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U Miami is a great university overall.

There were roughly 100 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the political science program state that they receive average early career income of $32,000.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of Miami

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
345 Political Science Degrees Awarded
12.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 345 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the political science program earn an average of $29,318 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Florida International University

Rest of the Top Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
20 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
21 Furman University Greenville, SC
22 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
23 Sewanee - The University of the South Sewanee, TN
24 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
25 Clemson University Clemson, SC

Best Political Science & Government Colleges by State

Explore the best political science & government schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 1,199
Florida 282 2,522
North Carolina 279 1,762
Virginia 274 1,768
Tennessee 269 714
South Carolina 248 768
Kentucky 244 439
Louisiana 242 582
Mississippi 234 294
Arkansas 234 297
Alabama 233 566
West Virginia 207 290

View All Rankings >

Political Science & Government is one of 13 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.

Political Science Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Political Science 10,978
Other Political Science & Government 236
Political Economy 61
American Government & Politics (United States) 12

View All Political Science Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Economics 6,166
Sociology 6,134
International Relations & National Security 3,190
General Social Sciences 3,011
Anthropology 2,083
Geography & Cartography 1,294
Urban Studies 168
Other Social Sciences 126
Sociology & Anthropology 120
Archeology 30

View All Political Science Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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