by our College Data Analytics TeamPolitical Science & Government is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science & government programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1304 schools to find the best for political science & government students.
What’s on this page:
See the highest-ranked political science & government schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Leading the list is El Camino Community College District, our #1 school for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 64 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in political science & government from El Camino Community College District
Orange Coast College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #2. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. There were roughly 43 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Orange Coast College
De Anza College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. About 35 political science & government degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from De Anza College
A rank of #4 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for political science & government. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 25 political science & government degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. Get the full political science & government details for Diablo Valley College
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 25 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Santa Rosa Junior College
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. There were roughly 37 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. See the full political science & government program report for College Of The Canyons
American River College earned the #7 position for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 19 political science & government degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for American River College
Moorpark College came in at #8 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. Moorpark College awarded about 36 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. Get the full political science & government details for Moorpark College
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 22 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306. See the full political science & government program report for Cerritos College
Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 for political science & government this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 39 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $44,391 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Mt San Antonio College
Foothill College placed #11 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Foothill College
Santa Barbara City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. There were roughly 48 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Get the full political science & government details for Santa Barbara City College
East Los Angeles College landed the #13 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. About 36 political science & government degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at East Los Angeles College
Los Angeles Valley College placed #14 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public institution. Los Angeles Valley College awarded about 48 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Los Angeles Valley College graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Los Angeles Valley College
San Diego Miramar College placed #15 among the best political science & government schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 22 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from San Diego Miramar College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #16 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $30,111 in their early career. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Saddleback College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 51 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. Read more about the political science & government program at Saddleback College
Sierra College came in at #18 for political science & government this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. There were roughly 26 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Sierra College
Cuesta College landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at Cuesta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $64,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. Get the full political science & government details for Cuesta College
Sacramento City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 22 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $46,522 in their early career. Sacramento City College graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Sacramento City College
Salt Lake Community College landed the #21 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. There were roughly 21 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,855. More information about a degree in political science & government from Salt Lake Community College
Santiago Canyon College placed #22 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Santiago Canyon College awarded about 32 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $34,100 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the political science & government program at Santiago Canyon College
Santa Monica College came in at #23 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. Santa Monica College awarded about 124 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. See the full political science & government program report for Santa Monica College
Austin Community College District landed the #24 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 16 political science & government degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $44,895 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,333. Read more about the political science & government program at Austin Community College District
Grossmont College landed the #25 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. About 22 political science & government degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in political science & government from Grossmont College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong political science & government education:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Political Science & Government rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1304 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.