by our College Data Analytics TeamPolitical Science & Government degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 83 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science & government schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the best political science & government schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
No school ranked higher than De Anza College this year for political science & government. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. About 40 political science & government degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for De Anza College
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Diablo Valley College, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 41 political science & government degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. 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 West Valley College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. There were roughly 21 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at West Valley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from West Valley College earn around $25,378 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for West Valley College
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Orange Coast College, which ranked #4. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 37 political science & government degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. See the full political science & government program report for Orange Coast College
College Of The Canyons is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 35 political science & government degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $51,913 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. Read more about the political science & government program at College Of The Canyons
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #6 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 19 political science & government degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Get the full political science & government details for Santa Rosa Junior College
Foothill College landed the #7 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. About 22 political science & government degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Foothill College
San Diego Miramar College placed #8 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at San Diego Miramar College
East Los Angeles College placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. There were roughly 32 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data 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. See the full political science & government program report for East Los Angeles College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #10 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 27 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn around $30,111 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,794. More information about a degree in political science & government from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Cerritos College placed #11 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at Cerritos College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Cerritos College earn around $29,495 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Cerritos College
Santa Barbara City College placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. There were roughly 46 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Santa Barbara City College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #13 position for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. There were roughly 33 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Mt San Antonio College
American River College landed the #14 spot for political science & government this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 18 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $76,077 in their early career. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for American River College
Santa Monica College placed #15 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 147 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science & government program at Santa Monica College
Grossmont College came in at #16 for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. There were roughly 43 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year. Get the full political science & government details for Grossmont College
Sierra College came in at #17 for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 36 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Sierra College graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Sierra College
Skyline College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. There were roughly 18 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in political science & government from Skyline College
Saddleback College earned the #19 position for political science & government this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 53 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. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Saddleback College
Las Positas College earned the #20 position for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the city of Livermore. About 26 political science & government degrees were awarded at Las Positas College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in political science & government from Las Positas College
Cuesta College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Cuesta College awarded about 15 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Cuesta College
San Diego Mesa College came in at #22 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 26 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $29,852 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,999. Get the full political science & government details for San Diego Mesa College
Santa Ana College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. There were roughly 15 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Santa Ana College graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Santa Ana College
Cypress College earned the #24 position for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cypress. Cypress College awarded about 17 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in political science & government from Cypress College
Butte College earned the #25 position for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at Butte College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Butte College graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Butte College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government ranking:
Explore the best political science & government schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.