2026 Best Political Science Schools in Washington

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best political science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 232 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Central Washington University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Central Washington University awarded about 17 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $39,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,936 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Central Washington University

3

Whitworth University
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Spokane. Whitworth University graduates 71% of students within six years. Whitworth University awarded about 16 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $43,933 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,624. More information about a degree in political science from Whitworth University

4

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

A rank of #4 makes Washington State University one of the top schools for political science. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 89 political science students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,130 in their early career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Washington State University

5

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 political science degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Seattle University earn around $41,474 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $20,449 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Seattle University

6

Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University landed the #6 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 34 political science degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $26,915 in their early career. Gonzaga University graduates carry a median of $23,124 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Gonzaga University

7

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 political science students who graduated with this degree at Pacific Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Pacific Lutheran University earn around $41,518 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Pacific Lutheran University

8

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University landed the #8 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 77 political science students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $27,217 in their early career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Western Washington University

9

Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College earned the #9 position for political science this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. About 80% of students finish within six years. Whitman College awarded about 11 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $27,689 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. Read more about the political science program at Whitman College

10

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University earned the #10 position for political science this year. This large public university is located in the town of Cheney. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 political science students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Washington University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $33,173 early in their careers. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,412 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Eastern Washington University

11

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University earned the #11 position for political science this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 political science students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $32,288 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $26,775 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Seattle Pacific University