2027 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region
Political Science & Government is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science & government programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for political science & government students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the Southwest Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Political Science & Government
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 school for political science & government. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 44 political science & government degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $54,728 in their early career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
See the full political science & government program report for Rice University
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 312 political science & government degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,281. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full political science & government program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #3. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 279 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $41,817 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,749.
See the full political science & government program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Southern Methodist University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $52,160 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full political science & government program report for Southern Methodist University
Texas Christian University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Texas Christian University awarded about 89 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Texas Christian University earn around $50,627 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Texas Christian University
Arizona State University placed #6 among the best political science & government schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 352 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,626. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $19,257 in student loans.
See the full political science & government program report for Arizona State University
University Of Dallas came in at #7 for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irving. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dallas awarded about 43 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $41,639. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Dallas
Baylor University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 143 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $32,981 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the political science & government program at Baylor University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for political science & government this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 56 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $33,484. Typical student debt for the program is $21,107.
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University Of Houston ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 221 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $36,413 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #11 for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 101 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $37,401 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #12 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates 76% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 69 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $34,429 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Get the full political science & government details for The University Of Texas At Dallas
University Of Arizona placed #13 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 146 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,193. Students borrow a median of $21,630 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Arizona
Northern Arizona University came in at #14 for political science & government this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 53 political science & government degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $35,220 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Northern Arizona University
Trinity University placed #15 among the best political science & government schools. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 31 political science & government degrees were awarded at Trinity University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $27,601. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the political science & government program at Trinity University
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #16 position for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 179 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $42,481 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Arizona State University Skysong
University Of North Texas earned the #17 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of North Texas earn around $34,195 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of North Texas
West Texas A And M University landed the #18 spot for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the town of Canyon. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $43,515 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,333.
More information about a degree in political science & government from West Texas A And M University
University Of Houston Victoria placed #19 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. University Of Houston Victoria awarded about 16 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $47,345 in their early career. University Of Houston Victoria graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Houston Victoria
Saint Edwards University ranked #20 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 Austin. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Saint Edwards University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $34,570 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Texas Tech University landed the #21 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 119 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Texas Tech University earn around $35,114 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree.
See the full political science & government program report for Texas Tech University
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #22 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 54 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $31,550 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,406 to complete this degree.
See the full political science & government program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #23 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 99 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $33,783 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,760.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Texas State University San Marcos
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #24 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 74 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $33,947 early in their careers. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,499 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Oral Roberts University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Oral Roberts University graduates 57% of students within six years. Oral Roberts University awarded about 10 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,022.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Oral Roberts University
Rest of the Top 50 Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 55 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.