2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee
Political Science & Government programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science & government programs.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best political science & government schools.
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Best Schools for Political Science & Government in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science & government education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Political Science & Government
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $46,843. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
See the full political science & government program report for Vanderbilt University
Belmont University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Belmont University
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Rhodes College, which ranked #3. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 political science & government degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $35,537. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 179 political science & government degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $29,728 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chattanooga. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $39,490. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $22,150 in student loans.
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Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #6 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Sewanee The University Of The South awarded about 28 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $31,831 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,267 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 16 political science & government degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $40,400. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete this degree.
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Middle Tennessee State University came in at #8 for political science & government this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 82 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $31,012. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Middle Tennessee State University
Tennessee Technological University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $34,105 in the first couple years of their career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans.
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East Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $37,594. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science & government from East Tennessee State University
University Of Memphis placed #11 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 39 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $27,600 early in their careers. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans.
See the full political science & government program report for University Of Memphis
Austin Peay State University placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 23 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $34,635. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
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Tennessee State University came in at #13 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Tennessee State University earn around $35,206 in the first couple years of their career. Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.