2027 Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region
Political Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 152 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science schools.
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Best Schools for Political Science in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Political Science
Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for political science. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 111 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Duke University earn a median of $54,970 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Duke University
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 political science students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $46,843 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from Vanderbilt University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. 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. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,200 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top schools for political science. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $45,875 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for political science. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. College Of William And Mary awarded about 126 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $41,317. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for College Of William And Mary
Wake Forest University placed #6 among the best political science schools. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 110 political science degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $47,161 early in their careers. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $23,133 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for Wake Forest University
Davidson College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Davidson College awarded about 53 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $46,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Davidson College
University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 250 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,842. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,171 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for University Of Georgia
James Madison University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. James Madison University awarded about 128 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,435 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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Emory University landed the #10 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 62 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $46,629. Students borrow a median of $17,590 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Emory University
University Of Florida placed #11 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 331 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $31,574 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for University Of Florida
Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #12 position for political science this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 106 political science students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $41,265 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #13 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 212 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $42,114 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Samford University placed #14 among the best political science schools. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. Samford University awarded about 15 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039.
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Florida State University placed #15 among the best political science schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 506 political science students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,695 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for Florida State University
George Mason University placed #16 among the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 18 political science degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,846 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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University Of Richmond placed #17 among the best political science schools. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Richmond awarded about 32 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $43,253. Typical student debt for the program is $23,080.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of Richmond
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #18 for political science this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 172 political science degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $38,321. Students borrow a median of $23,457 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Belmont University came in at #19 for political science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 17 political science degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447.
See the full political science program report for Belmont University
Washington And Lee University landed the #20 spot for political science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington And Lee University awarded about 32 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Washington And Lee University
University Of Miami earned the #21 position for political science this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $33,867. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of Miami
Elon University placed #22 among the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Elon University awarded about 34 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Elon University earn a median of $38,836 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Elon University
High Point University landed the #23 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree.
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Clemson University earned the #24 position for political science this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 146 political science students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $28,041 early in their careers. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
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Christopher Newport University earned the #25 position for political science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 50 political science degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $43,508. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Read more about the political science program at Christopher Newport University
Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for political science this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 152 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.