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2027 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region

55 Colleges in the United States
3,489 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$39,157 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

1
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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. Get the full political science & government details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

10

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. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Houston

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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

15
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

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

16

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

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

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. Get the full political science & government details for Saint Edwards University

21

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

22

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

23

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

24

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

25

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:

26
27
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX
28
29
30
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
38
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
39
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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