2027 Best Political Science & Government Schools in Iowa
Political Science & Government programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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 Iowa
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 Grinnell College the best school in the country for a degree in political science & government. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 33 political science & government degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Grinnell College earn around $36,662 in the first couple years of their career. Grinnell College graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Grinnell College
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for political science & government. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
See the full political science & government program report for University Of Iowa
Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at Drake University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. 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.
Read more about the political science & government program at Drake University
A rank of #4 makes Simpson College one of the top schools for political science & government. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. Simpson College awarded about 12 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Simpson College generally make around $48,888. Typical student debt for the program is $26,816.
More information about a degree in political science & government from Simpson College
A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for political science & government. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 48 political science & government degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $30,715 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science & government program at Iowa State University
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 13 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,875 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Northern Iowa
More Political Science & Government Rankings
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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 · 6 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.