Political Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science programs.
College Factual analyzed 683 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science schools.
The school you choose for political science can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Political Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Political Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Political Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Political Science in the United States
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 degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for political science. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 85 political science students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from Washington University In St Louis
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 91 political science students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $83,555 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from Johns Hopkins University
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 105 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $56,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of Chicago
A rank of #4 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for political science. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 203 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $61,543. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Read more about the political science program at Harvard University
A rank of #5 makes Dartmouth College one of the top schools for political science. 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 126 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $72,618 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at Dartmouth College
Georgetown University placed #6 among the best political science schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 197 political science students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $64,297 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for Georgetown University
Duke University placed #7 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 political science students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Duke University earn around $54,970 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Duke University
Stanford University earned the #8 position for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 86 political science students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $59,297 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
See the full political science program report for Stanford University
Northwestern University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 105 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $54,737 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for Northwestern University
Vanderbilt University landed the #10 spot for political science this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 68 political science degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $46,843 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for Vanderbilt University
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 108 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,473 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,722.
See the full political science program report for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #12 spot for political science this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 291 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Boston College placed #13 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 111 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Boston College earn around $46,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science details for Boston College
Colgate University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Colgate University awarded about 81 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $56,064 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Colgate University
Bowdoin College came in at #15 for political science this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 political science students who graduated with this degree at Bowdoin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $60,626 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,634.
See the full political science program report for Bowdoin College
Tufts University earned the #16 position for political science 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 50 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $67,713 early in their careers. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,725 in student loans.
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Yale University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 155 political science degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Yale University earn around $57,466 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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Hamilton College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. Hamilton College awarded about 27 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $58,807. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Hamilton College
Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for political science this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wesleyan University graduates 93% of students within six years. Wesleyan University awarded about 65 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
More information about a degree in political science from Wesleyan University
Middlebury College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 46 political science degrees were awarded at Middlebury College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $59,026 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Middlebury College
University Of California Berkeley landed the #21 spot for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 403 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $45,418. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
See the full political science program report for University Of California Berkeley
Barnard College came in at #22 for political science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 political science students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Barnard College earn around $57,298 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Read more about the political science program at Barnard College
Lafayette College earned the #23 position for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 political science students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $48,112 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,640 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at Lafayette College
Cornell University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 144 political science degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $60,292. Typical student debt for the program is $14,400.
Read more about the political science program at Cornell University
Princeton University earned the #25 position for political science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Princeton University awarded about 93 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Princeton University earn around $63,317 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
See the full political science program report for Princeton University
Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 683 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
