2026 Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year for political science & government. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 127 political science & government degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $96,306. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. See the full political science & government program report for Johns Hopkins University

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 29 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Duke University earn around $54,970 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,016. Get the full political science & government details for Duke University

3

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #3. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 29 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Georgetown University earn around $73,347 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Georgetown University

4

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 74 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $61,543. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Harvard University

5

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 #5. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent 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

6

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #6 spot for political science & government this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 26 political science & government degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $57,466 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Yale University

7

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $31,976. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of California Irvine

8

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University came in at #8 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. George Washington University awarded about 90 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $72,470 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at George Washington University

9

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #9 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 18 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $41,200 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,100. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

10

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #10 spot for political science & government this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $39,404. Students borrow a median of $16,485 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

11

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $63,317 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Princeton University

12

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $42,688. Typical student debt for the program is $18,768. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Maryland College Park

13

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #13 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 14 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $68,741 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from James Madison University

14

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #14 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 17 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $31,574 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Florida

15

American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #15 position for political science & government this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. American University awarded about 36 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $60,976 in their early career. American University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at American University

16

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 10 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $39,842 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,171 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Georgia

17

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #17 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $61,077 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,943 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

18

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Colorado Boulder

19

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #19 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,281. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

20

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 161 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,846 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from George Mason University

21

New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #21 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of New York University earn a median of $50,783 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for New York University

22

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #22 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. There were roughly 30 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

23

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 11 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $32,168. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at California State University Long Beach

24

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #24 among the best political science & government schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 10 political science & government degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent 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. See the full political science & government program report for San Francisco State University

25

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #25 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $46,549. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $25,620 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Villanova University