2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region
Political Science & Government programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 123 schools to find the best for political science & government students.
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
Our analysis ranked Rice University the best school in the country for a degree in political science & government. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rice University awarded about 35 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Rice University earn around $54,728 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Rice University
The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #2. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 340 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
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top schools for political science & government. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 252 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $41,817 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $19,749 in student loans.
Read more about the political science & government program at Texas A And M University College Station
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 55 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $52,160 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science & government details for Southern Methodist University
University Of Tulsa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #5. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Tulsa graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Tulsa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Tulsa
Texas Christian University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 79 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $50,627 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the political science & government program at Texas Christian University
Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 415 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $47,626 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,257.
See the full political science & government program report for Arizona State University
University Of Dallas landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Dallas graduates 73% of students within six years. University Of Dallas awarded about 32 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.
Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Dallas
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 spot for political science & government this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 92 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $37,401 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
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University Of Arizona came in at #10 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 153 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $36,193 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,630 to complete this degree.
Get the full political science & government details for University Of Arizona
Baylor University placed #11 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 120 political science & government degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $32,981 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Northern Arizona University placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 62 political science & government degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $35,220. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the political science & government program at Northern Arizona University
Abilene Christian University came in at #13 for political science & government this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Abilene Christian University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #14 for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 50 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $33,484 in the first couple years of their career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,107 in student loans.
Read more about the political science & government program at Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Houston earned the #15 position for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 202 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,413. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #16 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 77 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $34,429 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
See the full political science & government program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas
University Of North Texas landed the #17 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 83 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $34,195 early in their careers. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
Read more about the political science & government program at University Of North Texas
Arizona State University Skysong placed #18 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. There were roughly 170 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $42,481. 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 At Dallas ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. University Of North Texas At Dallas graduates 42% of students within six years. About 14 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas At Dallas in the most recent year.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #20 position 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. About 68 political science & government degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $31,550. 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
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. University Of Houston Victoria awarded about 12 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Houston Victoria earn around $47,345 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,081.
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Saint Edwards University earned the #22 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 political science & government degrees were awarded at Saint Edwards University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Saint Edwards University earn around $34,570 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full political science & government program report for Saint Edwards University
Texas Womans University earned the #23 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $39,272 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,162.
Get the full political science & government details for Texas Womans University
Texas Tech University placed #24 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 142 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $35,114. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375.
Read more about the political science & government program at Texas Tech University
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #25 spot for political science & government this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Killeen. There were roughly 10 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,160.
See the full political science & government program report for Texas A And M University Central Texas
Rest of the Top 50 Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also placed among the best for political science & government this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 123 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.
