2022 Best Political Science & Government Schools
In 2022, College Factual analyzed 781 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Political Science & Government Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 48,597 degrees in political science and government to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Political Science & Government School
The political science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Political Science & Government rankings. For our Best Overall Political Science & Government School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Pick Your Political Science & Government Degree Level
The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Political Science & Government Schools. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Featured Political Science & Government Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University. Learn More > |
Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the United States
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the political science degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Schools in Political Science
Yale University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in political science and government. Yale is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New Haven. A Best Schools rank of #8 out of 2,576 colleges nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.
There were roughly 219 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent year we have data available. Those political science and government students who get their degree from Yale University earn $15,123 more than the typical political science student.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Yale University
It's hard to beat Dartmouth College if you wish to pursue a degree in political science and government. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Schools rank of #6 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall.
There were about 129 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available. Those political science and government students who get their degree from Dartmouth College make $25,923 more than the typical political science grad.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Dartmouth College
Duke University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in political science and government. Duke is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham. A Best Schools rank of #9 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.
There were about 171 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Political Science & Government degree recipients from Duke University get an earnings boost of around $13,423 above the typical income of political science and government graduates.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Duke University
It's difficult to beat Harvard University if you wish to pursue a degree in political science and government. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Schools rank of #10 out of 2,576 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.
There were roughly 154 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available. Those political science and government students who get their degree from Harvard University earn $17,823 more than the typical political science student.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Harvard University
UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Schools rank of #13 out of 2,576 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.
There were roughly 173 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the political science and government program at University of Pennsylvania make $17,123 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in political science and government from University of Pennsylvania
Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 39 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.
There were approximately 146 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Those political science and government students who get their degree from Johns Hopkins University receive $29,773 more than the standard political science graduate.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Johns Hopkins University
Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Schools rank of #3 out of 2,576 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.
There were about 86 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Stanford University
Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 160 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were about 166 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available. Political Science & Government degree recipients from Cornell University earn a boost of around $11,123 over the average income of political science and government majors.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Cornell University
Located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 113 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.
There were about 146 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government degree recipients from Wake Forest University earn a boost of about $8,923 above the average earnings of political science and government majors.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Wake Forest University
Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. This university ranks 1st out of 9 schools for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.
There were roughly 346 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the political science and government program at Georgetown University get $15,123 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Georgetown University
Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Schools rank of #15 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.
There were roughly 199 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Those political science and government students who get their degree from University of Notre Dame make $13,023 more than the average political science grad.
More information about a degree in political science and government from University of Notre Dame
Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. This university ranks 2nd out of 160 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were roughly 330 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Those political science and government students who get their degree from Columbia University in the City of New York receive $17,123 more than the average political science student.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Columbia University in the City of New York
Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Schools rank of #14 out of 2,576 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
There were about 149 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the political science and government major at Northwestern University get $13,023 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Northwestern University
Located in the fringe town of Brunswick, Bowdoin is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 1st out of 23 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maine.
There were approximately 84 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Bowdoin in the most recent year we have data available. Political Science & Government degree recipients from Bowdoin College earn a boost of around $16,423 above the typical income of political science and government majors.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Bowdoin College
UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Schools rank of #7 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were roughly 126 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government degree recipients from University of Chicago receive an earnings boost of about $2,723 above the average income of political science and government majors.
More information about a degree in political science and government from University of Chicago
Williams is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Williamstown. This college ranks 3rd out of 72 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were approximately 70 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Williams in the most recent year we have data available. Those political science and government students who get their degree from Williams College make $10,323 more than the typical political science grad.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Williams College
Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 50 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.
There were approximately 105 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Vanderbilt University
Pomona is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Claremont. A Best Schools rank of #11 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means Pomona is a great college overall.
There were approximately 19 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Pomona in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Pomona College
Claremont McKenna is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Claremont. A Best Schools rank of #5 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means Claremont McKenna is a great college overall.
There were roughly 36 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Claremont McKenna in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Claremont McKenna College
WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. This university ranks 1st out of 55 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were roughly 103 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Washington University in St Louis
Located in the small city of Princeton, Princeton is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Schools rank of #12 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means Princeton is a great university overall.
There were about 117 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the political science and government major at Princeton University get $13,923 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Princeton University
Located in the town of Hamilton, Colgate is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 160 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were about 79 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Colgate in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the political science and government major at Colgate University earn $19,223 more than the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Colgate University
Located in the small city of Lewiston, Bates is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 3rd out of 23 schools for overall quality in the state of Maine.
There were about 76 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Bates in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the political science and government major at Bates College make $2,923 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Bates College
Barnard is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of New York. This college ranks 4th out of 160 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were roughly 68 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Barnard in the most recent data year. Those political science and government students who get their degree from Barnard College make $8,623 more than the typical political science graduate.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Barnard College
Washington and Lee is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Lexington. This university ranks 2nd out of 73 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were approximately 53 political science and government students who graduated with this degree at Washington and Lee in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in political science and government from Washington and Lee UniversityRest of the Top 50 Best Political Science & Government Schools
Additional Award Winners
This list shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Political Science & Government Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 781 different United States political science and government schools we analyzed.
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Political Science & Government Schools award.
Political Science & Government by Region
View the Best Political Science & Government Schools for a specific region near you.
Region |
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Southeast |
New England |
Rocky Mountains |
Plains States |
Middle Atlantic |
Far Western US |
Southwest |
Great Lakes |
Other Rankings
Rankings in Majors Related to Political Science
One of 12 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Political Science & Government has other similar majors worth exploring.
Political Science Concentrations
Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Political Science | 46,740 |
Other Political Science & Government | 1,149 |
American Government & Politics (United States) | 375 |
Political Economy | 333 |
View All Political Science Concentrations >
Most Popular Majors Related to Political Science
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Economics | 48,831 |
Sociology | 37,807 |
General Social Sciences | 19,742 |
International Relations & National Security | 14,762 |
Anthropology | 12,008 |
Criminology | 10,182 |
Geography & Cartography | 8,936 |
Other Social Sciences | 2,491 |
Urban Studies | 1,475 |
Sociology & Anthropology | 498 |
View All Political Science Related Majors >
Notes and References
- The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
- 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to UKWiki at English Wikipedia.
More about our data sources and methodologies.