2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 100 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $59,297 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full political science & government details for Stanford University

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 303 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $39,404 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,485 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #3. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 421 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $45,418 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of California Berkeley

4

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Santa Clara University earn around $57,111 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Santa Clara University

5

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Claremont Mckenna College, which ranked #5. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $42,552 in their early career. Claremont Mckenna College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Claremont Mckenna College

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 144 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $38,063. Students borrow a median of $12,869 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Southern California

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 708 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $34,392 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of California Los Angeles

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #8 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. See the full political science & government program report for San Jose State University

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 285 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of California Davis earn around $36,208 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of California Davis

10

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #10 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 97 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $37,003. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,665 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

11

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 287 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

12

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 22 political science & government degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $75,954 in their early career. Get the full political science & government details for Pomona College

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #13 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 266 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $31,976 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for University Of California Irvine

14

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #14 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. About 128 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $31,882 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,782 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

15

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 118 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from San Francisco State University earn around $36,502 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for San Francisco State University

16

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #16 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 142 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $38,060 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,068 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from San Diego State University

17

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District placed #17 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. About 64 political science & government degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year. Get the full political science & government details for El Camino Community College District

18

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #18 among the best political science & government schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 334 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $33,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,030 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of California San Diego

19

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College placed #19 among the best political science & government schools. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Scripps College graduates 82% of students within six years. Scripps College awarded about 20 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full political science & government details for Scripps College

20

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 36 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $42,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,625. Get the full political science & government details for Pepperdine University

21

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 190 political science & government degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $36,189. Students borrow a median of $16,084 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from California State University Sacramento

22

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #22 spot for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $40,460 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $19,544 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for California State University East Bay

23

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #23 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $40,056 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of San Francisco

24

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University earned the #24 position for political science & government this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 46 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $35,124. Students borrow a median of $20,741 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Chapman University

25

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University landed the #25 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 91 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $31,033. Typical student debt for the program is $22,146. More information about a degree in political science & government from Loyola Marymount University