2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science & government. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 100 political science & government degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $59,297 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Stanford University

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 303 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $39,404 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,485 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for 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. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 421 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $45,418 in their early 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

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Santa Clara University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 52 political science & government degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Santa Clara University

5

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

A rank of #5 makes Claremont Mckenna College one of the top schools for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Political Science & Government graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of $42,552 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full political science & government details for Claremont Mckenna College

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #6 for political science & government this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 144 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $38,063 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,869. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Southern California

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #7 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 708 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $34,392. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of California Los Angeles

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 74 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science & government program at San Jose State University

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students 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. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $36,208 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,250. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of California Davis

10

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #10 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 97 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 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. Students borrow a median of $17,665 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

11

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 93% of students finish within six years. Pomona College awarded about 22 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Pomona College earn around $75,954 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full political science & government details for Pomona College

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. 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. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of California Irvine

13

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #13 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 128 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $31,882 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $16,782 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of California Santa Cruz

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for political science & government this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 118 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $36,502 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from San Francisco State University

15

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 142 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from San Diego State University earn around $38,060 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,068 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for San Diego State University

16

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District landed the #16 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 64 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science & government program at El Camino Community College District

17

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #17 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 334 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $33,345. Students borrow a median of $16,030 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of California San Diego

18

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at Scripps College in the most recent year. Get the full political science & government details for Scripps College

19

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University came in at #19 for political science & government this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $42,306. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Pepperdine University

20

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 190 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $36,189 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,084. Read more about the political science & government program at California State University Sacramento

21

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #21 spot for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 52 political science & government degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $40,460 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,544 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for California State University East Bay

22

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #22 position for political science & government this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 46 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $40,056. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of San Francisco

23

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #23 spot for political science & government this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school 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. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $20,741 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Chapman University

24

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University earned the #24 position for political science & government this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 91 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $31,033 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,146 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Loyola Marymount University

25

Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Claremont Graduate University awarded about 13 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Claremont Graduate University generally make around $68,239. See the full political science & government program report for Claremont Graduate University