2027 Best Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region
Political Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science programs.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science schools.
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Best Schools for Political Science in the Southwest Region
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
No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for political science. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 political science degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $54,728 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at Rice University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 312 political science students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $43,281 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. About 279 political science degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,817 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,749 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 49 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $52,160. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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Texas Christian University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 89 political science degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $50,627. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Arizona State University earned the #6 position for political science this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 315 political science degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Arizona State University earn around $47,626 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,257.
Read more about the political science program at Arizona State University
University Of Dallas came in at #7 for political science this year. University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. University Of Dallas graduates 73% of students within six years. About 43 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Dallas in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $41,639 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Baylor University landed the #8 spot for political science this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 143 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Baylor University earn around $32,981 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from Baylor University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #9 for political science this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. About 68% of students finish within six years. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 56 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $33,484. Typical student debt for the program is $21,107.
See the full political science program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Houston earned the #10 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 221 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,413. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of Houston
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #11 for political science this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 101 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,401 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
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The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #12 for political science this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates 76% of students within six years. About 69 political science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,429 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for political science this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 144 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Arizona earn around $36,193 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,630 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for University Of Arizona
Northern Arizona University earned the #14 position for political science this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 political science students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,220 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Northern Arizona University
Trinity University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 31 political science students who graduated with this degree at Trinity University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Trinity University earn a median of $27,601 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Arizona State University Skysong ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 179 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $42,481 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from Arizona State University Skysong
University Of North Texas placed #17 among the best political science schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,195. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
Read more about the political science program at University Of North Texas
West Texas A And M University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. West Texas A And M University awarded about 13 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at West Texas A And M University
University Of Houston Victoria placed #19 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. There were roughly 16 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Typical student debt for the program is $24,081.
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Saint Edwards University earned the #20 position for political science this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 political science degrees were awarded at Saint Edwards University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $34,570. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Texas Tech University came in at #21 for political science this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 119 political science students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $35,114 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #22 position for political science this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 54 political science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $31,550 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,406.
See the full political science program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington
Texas State University San Marcos placed #23 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 99 political science students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $33,783 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,760.
See the full political science program report for Texas State University San Marcos
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 74 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $33,947 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,499 in student loans.
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Oral Roberts University came in at #25 for political science this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oral Roberts University awarded about 10 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Oral Roberts University earn around $41,180 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,022.
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Rest of the Top 50 Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong political science education:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 52 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.