2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 269 political science & government degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $64,297 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Georgetown University

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. 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%. There were roughly 190 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $83,555 in their early career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Johns Hopkins University

3

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 114 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $65,473 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,722 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Pennsylvania

4

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for political science & government. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 210 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science & government program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

5

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 80 political science & government degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $56,064. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Colgate University

6

Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College came in at #6 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 61 political science & government degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $57,298 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Barnard College

7

Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College landed the #7 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 60 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette College in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $48,112 early in their careers. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $13,640 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Lafayette College

8

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #8 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 95 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. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Princeton University

9

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 121 political science & government degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $60,292 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,400 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Cornell University

10

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 political science & government degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $58,807. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Hamilton College

11

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 282 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,768. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Maryland College Park

12

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University landed the #12 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 335 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $62,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at George Washington University

13

New York University
New York, NY

New York University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 215 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from New York University generally make around $50,783. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full political science & government program report for New York University

14

American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #14 for political science & government this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 274 political science & government degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $53,411 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full political science & government details for American University

15

Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University landed the #15 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Bucknell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Bucknell University earn around $53,012 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Bucknell University

16

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College landed the #16 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Swarthmore College awarded about 25 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $40,449. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the political science & government program at Swarthmore College

17

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #17 position for political science & government this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 277 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $61,077. Students borrow a median of $22,943 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Columbia University In The City Of New York

18

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #18 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $53,632 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,150 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Lehigh University

19

Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Haverford College in the most recent data year. Read more about the political science & government program at Haverford College

20

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. Vassar College awarded about 30 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $48,679. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. More information about a degree in political science & government from Vassar College

21

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester came in at #21 for political science & government this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 52 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $37,921 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Rochester

22

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #22 spot for political science & government this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 92 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Villanova University earn around $46,549 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,620. Get the full political science & government details for Villanova University

23

Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University landed the #23 spot for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 17 political science & government degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Yeshiva University earn around $52,838 in the first couple years of their career. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Yeshiva University

24

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #24 for political science & government this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 36 political science & government degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. See the full political science & government program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

25

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton landed the #25 spot for political science & government this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 political science & government degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $37,194 early in their careers. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Suny At Binghamton