2026 Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in political science. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 100 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. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Stanford University

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 303 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $39,404. Typical student debt for the program is $16,485. Read more about the political science program at University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 421 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $45,418 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at University Of California Berkeley

4

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 52 political science degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $57,111. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Santa Clara University

5

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #5. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 30 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $42,552 in their early career. Claremont Mckenna College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Claremont Mckenna College

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 124 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $38,063. Students borrow a median of $12,869 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from University Of Southern California

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #7 for political science this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 708 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $34,392 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from University Of California Los Angeles

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #8 position for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 74 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full political science details for San Jose State University

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #9 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 232 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $36,208 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for University Of California Davis

10

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #10 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 97 political science degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $37,003 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,665. See the full political science program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

11

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for political science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 232 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,246 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

12

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College earned the #12 position for political science this year. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 22 political science students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. Get the full political science details for Pomona College

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #13 spot for political science this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 265 political science degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $31,976 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. See the full political science program report for University Of California Irvine

14

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #14 spot for political science this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 128 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $31,882 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,782. Get the full political science details for University Of California Santa Cruz

15

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #15 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 118 political science students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $36,502. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from San Francisco State University

16

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #16 position for political science this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 142 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $38,060 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $17,068 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from San Diego State University

17

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District landed the #17 spot for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 64 political science students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. Get the full political science details for El Camino Community College District

18

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #18 position for political science this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 285 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $33,345 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $16,030 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from University Of California San Diego

19

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College placed #19 among the best political science schools. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 political science students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year. Get the full political science details for Scripps College

20

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Pepperdine University awarded about 36 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $42,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,625. More information about a degree in political science from Pepperdine University

21

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #21 for political science this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 190 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $36,189 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,084. Read more about the political science program at California State University Sacramento

22

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #22 spot for political science this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 52 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $40,460. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $19,544 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at California State University East Bay

23

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #23 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 46 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $40,056 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. See the full political science program report for University Of San Francisco

24

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University earned the #24 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 political science students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,124 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,741. More information about a degree in political science from Chapman University

25

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University landed the #25 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 political science degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $31,033 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,146. More information about a degree in political science from Loyola Marymount University