2027 Best Political Science Schools in Iowa
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 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science schools.
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Best Schools for Political Science in Iowa
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
Grinnell College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 33 political science students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $36,662 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Grinnell College
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 118 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Iowa earn around $39,133 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
See the full political science program report for University Of Iowa
Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #3. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,138 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Drake University
Simpson College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Indianola. About 63% of students finish within six years. Simpson College awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $48,888 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,816.
More information about a degree in political science from Simpson College
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Iowa State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 political science students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Iowa State University earn around $30,715 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for Iowa State University
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #6 position for political science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,875 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for University Of Northern Iowa
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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 · 6 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.