2027 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the The Plains States Region
Political Science & Government degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science & government schools.
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Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science & government education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Political Science & Government
Washington University In St Louis tops our 2027 ranking of the best political science & government schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 85 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
See the full political science & government program report for Washington University In St Louis
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 199 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $40,208 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,465 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Grinnell College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 33 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $36,662. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Grinnell College
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 208 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $37,722 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $22,517 in student loans.
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University Of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 113 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Kansas earn around $33,700 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,249.
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University Of Iowa landed the #6 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 118 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $39,133 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #7 among the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 55 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $36,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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Nebraska Wesleyan University landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 10 political science & government degrees were awarded at Nebraska Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $52,199 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Nebraska Wesleyan University
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $38,942. Typical student debt for the program is $20,089.
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University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #10 position for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,102.
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University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #11 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,744. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans.
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Bemidji State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Bemidji. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Bemidji State University awarded about 11 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,819.
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St Olaf College landed the #13 spot for political science & government this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $30,953. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
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Benedictine College earned the #14 position for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at Benedictine College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $46,255 in their early career. Benedictine College graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #15 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $34,775. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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University Of North Dakota placed #16 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans.
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Macalester College earned the #17 position for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. Macalester College awarded about 40 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $39,439 early in their careers. Macalester College graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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Drake University earned the #18 position for political science & government this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. About 19 political science & government degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,138.
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Simpson College landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Simpson College graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Simpson College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Simpson College earn around $48,888 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,816.
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Southeast Missouri State University placed #20 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 20 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Iowa State University landed the #21 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Iowa State University earn around $30,715 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Iowa State University
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,944. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full political science & government program report for Missouri State University Springfield
Kansas State University placed #23 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $32,289 early in their careers. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full political science & government program report for Kansas State University
Washburn University earned the #24 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Washburn University graduates 44% of students within six years. Washburn University awarded about 10 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $50,955 in their early career. Washburn University graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans.
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Truman State University placed #25 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Truman State University awarded about 21 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,649 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 45 Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong political science & government education:
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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 · 45 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.