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2027 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region

154 Colleges in the United States
9,145 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$40,206 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 154 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science & government schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science & government education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science & government. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 120 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. Read more about the political science & government program at Duke University

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 68 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $46,843 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Vanderbilt University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for political science & government. 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 291 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 90 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $45,875 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,015 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Virginia Main Campus

5

College Of William And Mary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 126 political science & government degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $41,317 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for College Of William And Mary

6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 110 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $47,161 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,133 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Wake Forest University

7
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College placed #7 among the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Davidson. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 53 political science & government degrees were awarded at Davidson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $46,232 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full political science & government details for Davidson College

8

University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 250 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,842 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,171 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Georgia

9
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #9 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 128 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,435 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for James Madison University

10
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #10 spot for political science & government this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 62 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $46,629. Emory University graduates carry a median of $17,590 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Emory University

11
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #11 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 331 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. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Florida

12

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 144 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $41,265. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Tulane University Of Louisiana

13

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #13 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 213 political science & government degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $42,114 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

14
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University earned the #14 position for political science & government this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Samford University awarded about 15 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Samford University

15
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #15 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 506 political science & government degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,695 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Florida State University

16

George Mason University came in at #16 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 193 political science & government degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $45,846 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. See the full political science & government program report for George Mason University

17
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 32 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $43,253. Typical student debt for the program is $23,080. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Richmond

18

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #18 position for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 172 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $38,321 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $23,457 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

19
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University placed #19 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. Belmont University awarded about 20 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $49,699 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. See the full political science & government program report for Belmont University

20

Washington And Lee University placed #20 among the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lexington. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 political science & government degrees were awarded at Washington And Lee University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $76,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Washington And Lee University

21
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 109 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $33,867. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Miami

22

Elon University came in at #22 for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Elon University earn around $38,836 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the political science & government program at Elon University

23
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University came in at #23 for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. High Point University awarded about 21 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $113,352 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for High Point University

24
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #24 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 146 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $28,041 in their early career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Clemson University

25

Christopher Newport University came in at #25 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $43,508 in their early career. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Christopher Newport University

Rest of the Top 50 Political Science & Government Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government ranking:

26
27
28
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
29
30
31
32
Centre College crest
Centre College
Danville, KY
33
34
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN
35
36
37
Berry College crest
Berry College
Mount Berry, GA
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for political science & government:

View All Political Science & Government Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 154 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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