2026 Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 school for political science. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 40 political science students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $96,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. Get the full political science details for Johns Hopkins University

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top schools for political science. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $54,970 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,016. Get the full political science details for Duke University

3

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 political science students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $73,347. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Georgetown University

4

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 73 political science degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $61,543. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full political science program report for Harvard University

5

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 20 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $45,418 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for University Of California Berkeley

6

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #6 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 26 political science students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $57,466. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Read more about the political science program at Yale University

7

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 13 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $31,976. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of California Irvine

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 18 political science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Typical student debt for the program is $15,100. Get the full political science details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

9

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #9 among the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $39,404 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $16,485 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from University Of California Santa Barbara

10

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #10 spot for political science this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. Princeton University awarded about 19 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $63,317 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Princeton University

11

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for political science this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 15 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $42,688 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at University Of Maryland College Park

12

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 14 political science degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $68,741 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for James Madison University

13

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #13 for political science this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $31,574 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,068. See the full political science program report for University Of Florida

14

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 political science students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $60,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for American University

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #15 position for political science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 10 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,842 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,171 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at University Of Georgia

16

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #16 for political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 49 political science degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $61,077 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,943 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from Columbia University In The City Of New York

17

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #17 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 11 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the political science program at University Of Colorado Boulder

18

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #18 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 11 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full political science program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

19

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #19 for political science this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 18 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $45,846 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at George Mason University

20

New York University
New York, NY

New York University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 38 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $50,783 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full political science program report for New York University

21

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #21 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. About 30 political science degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $72,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. More information about a degree in political science from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

22

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #22 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 political science students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,168 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at California State University Long Beach

23

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #23 spot for political science this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 10 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $36,502 early in their careers. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from San Francisco State University

24

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Villanova University awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Villanova University earn around $46,549 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,620 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Villanova University

25

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #25 for political science this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 35 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $46,645. Typical student debt for the program is $18,700. Get the full political science details for Florida State University