by our College Data Analytics TeamPolitical Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 82 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for political science students pursuing a degree.
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These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in political science, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Leading the list is De Anza College, our #1 school for political science. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. There were roughly 40 political science students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for De Anza College
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Diablo Valley College, which ranked #2. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 41 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. See the full political science program report for Diablo Valley College
West Valley College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at West Valley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from West Valley College earn around $25,378 in the first couple years of their career. West Valley College graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from West Valley College
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Orange Coast College, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 37 political science students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Orange Coast College
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 35 political science students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Get the full political science details for College Of The Canyons
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #6 position for political science this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 19 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $80,047 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Santa Rosa Junior College
Foothill College earned the #7 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 22 political science degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595. More information about a degree in political science from Foothill College
San Diego Miramar College landed the #8 spot for political science this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 11 political science degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from San Diego Miramar College
East Los Angeles College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 32 political science degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Typical student debt for the program is $8,180. See the full political science program report for East Los Angeles College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #10 position for political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 27 political science students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn around $30,111 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Cerritos College earned the #11 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 20 political science students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Cerritos College
Santa Barbara City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. There were roughly 46 political science students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. More information about a degree in political science from Santa Barbara City College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #13 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 33 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $44,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384. Read more about the political science program at Mt San Antonio College
American River College placed #14 among the best political science schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 18 political science degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from American River College
Santa Monica College came in at #15 for political science this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Santa Monica College awarded about 147 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science program at Santa Monica College
Grossmont College came in at #16 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of El Cajon. About 43 political science degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year. See the full political science program report for Grossmont College
Sierra College placed #17 among the best political science schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Sierra College awarded about 36 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $29,214 in their early career. Sierra College graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Sierra College
Skyline College placed #18 among the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Skyline College awarded about 18 political science degrees in the most recent data year. See the full political science program report for Skyline College
Saddleback College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 53 political science students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Saddleback College
Las Positas College earned the #20 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. There were roughly 26 political science students who graduated with this degree at Las Positas College in the most recent data year. Get the full political science details for Las Positas College
Cuesta College placed #21 among the best political science schools. This large public university is located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. There were roughly 15 political science students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $64,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. More information about a degree in political science from Cuesta College
San Diego Mesa College earned the #22 position for political science this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 political science degrees were awarded at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from San Diego Mesa College earn around $29,852 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at San Diego Mesa College
Santa Ana College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Santa Ana College awarded about 15 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,196. Read more about the political science program at Santa Ana College
Cypress College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 political science students who graduated with this degree at Cypress College in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science program at Cypress College
Butte College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Butte College awarded about 13 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $67,048 in their early career. Butte College graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Butte College
These schools also placed among the best for political science this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Political Science rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.