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2027 Best Political Science Schools in Tennessee

13 Colleges in the United States
556 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$36,437 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Political Science in Tennessee

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Political Science

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year for political science. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Get the full political science details for Vanderbilt University

2
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot 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%. Belmont University awarded about 17 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Belmont University earn around $49,699 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. See the full political science program report for Belmont University

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the top schools for political science. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 177 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $29,728. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at The University Of Tennessee

4
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Rhodes College graduates 84% of students within six years. Rhodes College awarded about 30 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,537 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Rhodes College

5

A rank of #5 makes The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga one of the top schools for political science. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 42 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $39,490 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,150. Get the full political science details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

6

Sewanee The University Of The South placed #6 among the best political science schools. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 political science degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Sewanee The University Of The South earn around $31,831 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,267. More information about a degree in political science from Sewanee The University Of The South

7

Tennessee Technological University placed #7 among the best political science schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 political science degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $34,105. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Tennessee Technological University

8

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 political science students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $31,012 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Middle Tennessee State University

9

The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #9 for political science this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 political science students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from The University Of Tennessee Martin earn around $40,400 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for The University Of Tennessee Martin

10

East Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best political science schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. East Tennessee State University awarded about 24 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,594 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Get the full political science details for East Tennessee State University

11

Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Tennessee State University awarded about 26 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,206 in their early career. Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Tennessee State University

12

University Of Memphis placed #12 among the best political science schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. University Of Memphis awarded about 35 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $27,600 early in their careers. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans. See the full political science program report for University Of Memphis

13

Austin Peay State University landed the #13 spot for political science this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 28 political science degrees were awarded at Austin Peay State University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $34,635 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Austin Peay State University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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