Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees

Badge for BEST FOR POLITICAL SCIENCE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
By Dr. Jed Macosko and Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

The best political science degree programs are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best political science degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding political science faculty.

Key Takeaways

  • Top political science programs often have connections to political hubs like Washington, D.C., offering students valuable internships, networking opportunities, and exposure to real-world political processes and institutions.
  • The best political science programs offer a range of specializations, including international relations, public policy, political theory, and comparative politics, while encouraging interdisciplinary studies with law, economics, and sociology for a well-rounded political science education.
  • These institutions have distinguished faculty members who are experts in their fields, offering students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge political research, policy analysis, and academic publications.

Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees in 2025

  1. Harvard University
  2. Columbia University
  3. Stanford University
    +1
  4. Yale University
    –1
  5. Princeton University
  6. Amherst College
    +2
  7. Swarthmore College
    –1
  8. Williams College
    –1
  9. Wellesley College
  10. Middlebury College

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best colleges and universities for political science degrees remained fairly stable. Amherst College gained two ranking positions as they expanded its Global Politics and Policy Initiative, offering new courses that focus on international relations, global governance, and political economy. Additionally, Amherst has strengthened its partnerships with political think tanks and governmental organizations, providing students with enhanced internship and research opportunities in policy-making and public service.

The college has also introduced interdisciplinary seminars that explore the intersections of political science with fields such as environmental policy, economics, and human rights, offering Political Science students broader academic and career-oriented perspectives.

A bachelor’s degree in political science is an excellent starting point for a career in law, social activism, public service, and a host of other important fields. As a political science major, you’ll study subjects such as civics, theories of governance, and race relations. Your political science degree will also incorporate foundational courses in both American and world politics as well as relevant courses in the history, philosophy, and sociology disciplines. The best schools for political science are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of political science concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Featured Programs

The Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees

  1. #1

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA
    #1 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2025 #1 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025 #1 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #1 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    3%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/35

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Harvard University

    Cost of Degree: $59,076
    Expenses: $27,629
    Starting Salary: $100,967
    Salary after 4 years: $146,772
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Harvard University’s political economy degree is designed to teach students about the relationship between politics and economics. Students will learn about economic development, globalization, and redistribution, among other topics. Students will take courses similar to other government majors, such as Making of Modern Politics, Behaviorial Insights and Public Policy, and Strategic Models of Politics.

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  2. #2

    Columbia University

    New York , NY
    #2 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #2 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #2 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #3 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $66K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Columbia University

    Cost of Degree: $68,171
    Expenses: $20,542
    Starting Salary: $83,909
    Salary after 4 years: $121,976
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Students who wish to study political science at Columbia University should expect to leave the program with a firm grasp on the concepts involved in political theory. Political science majors at Columbia can choose one of the following concentrations: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Theory.

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  3. #3

    Stanford University

    Stanford , CA
    #3 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #3 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #3 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #4 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1540/34

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Stanford University

    Cost of Degree: $62,484
    Expenses: $25,349
    Starting Salary: $102,564
    Salary after 4 years: $149,094
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Stanford University is thought to have one of the best colleges for political science. The political science program at Stanford aims at offering students an in-depth and comprehensive view of the American political system and other political systems impacting global forces, international affairs, social movements, and systems and diversity. To complete this program, students will complete two of the five following tracks: Data Science, Elections and Governance, International Relations, Justice and Law, or Political Economy and Development.

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  4. #4

    Yale University

    New Haven , CT
    #5 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #5 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #6 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025 #6 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1540/34

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Yale University

    Cost of Degree: $64,700
    Expenses: $23,600
    Starting Salary: $90,297
    Salary after 4 years: $131,262
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Yale University’s political science program seeks to prepare students to think critically and analytically about the factors that shape politics in our world today. Students in this program also have the opportunity to study abroad, increasing their knowledge of international affairs.

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  6. #5

    Princeton University

    Princeton , NJ
    #4 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #6 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #6 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #7 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Princeton University

    Cost of Degree: $59,710
    Expenses: $24,330
    Starting Salary: $84,417
    Salary after 4 years: $122,715
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Princeton University has one of the largest political science programs in the country. The program has four paths students wishing to study political science can take: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Political science courses include Introduction to Comparative Politics, Introduction to Game Theory, and Congressional Politics.

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  7. #6

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    #3 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #3 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #5 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/33

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $67,280
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $60,464
    Salary after 4 years: $87,895
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Amherst College is another one of the best colleges for political science in the country. This degree program features courses such as Political Violence, Cyberpolitics, and Post-Colonial Nationalism. Students are also able to choose from one of three tracks: Political Theory, Domestic Politics and State-Society Relations, and International Politics and Practices.

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  8. #7

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    #4 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #4 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $62,412
    Expenses: $21,691
    Starting Salary: $50,810
    Salary after 4 years: $73,861
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Swarthmore College is one of the top colleges for political science for good reason. This rigorous program leaves students with the ability to apply their knowledge of politics to assess arguments and evidence, engage with the broader world, and understand major theories and concepts. Courses in the program include Social Philosophy, Global Justice, and Ethics and Economics.

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  9. #8

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    #5 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #6 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $64,860
    Expenses: $20,000
    Starting Salary: $65,182
    Salary after 4 years: $94,753
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Williams College wishes to graduate students from its political science program with the ability to improve the collective life of whatever sphere they wish to impact. The program’s main goal is to consider the dynamics and ethics of power and how that power impacts identity, justice, and citizenship. Students in this degree program will take courses such as Refugees in International Politics, Politics after the Apocalypse, and Poverty in America.

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  10. #9

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    #9 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #9 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $64,320
    Expenses: $21,970
    Starting Salary: $52,117
    Salary after 4 years: $75,760
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Political science majors at Wellesley College will receive training on how power is used and should be used in the political sphere, the operations of law and institutions, and the factors that impact political and economic development. Students will take courses such as Constitutional Law, Politics of South Asia, and Democracy and Difference.

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  12. #10

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1482/34

    Career Outlook for Political Science degree at Middlebury College

    Cost of Degree: $65,280
    Expenses: $20,600
    Starting Salary: $52,189
    Salary after 4 years: $75,866
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Middlebury College’s political science program wishes to give students a thorough understanding of political science so that they can make an impact in the political or academic field. Middlebury also recognizes and appreciates that some students wish to study political science simply so that they gain a greater knowledge of central human concerns. Students in this program can pursue one of five tracks: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Foreign Policy, Methods, and Political Theory. Courses include American Political Regime, Social Capital Networks and Trust, and Religion and Politics.

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Career Outlook for Students with Political Science Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Political Science And Government

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,462
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,641
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $34,484
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $50,306
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 11 years
  • Job Growth: 2.89%
  • Number of Jobs: 2,419,300
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other5.75%$133,560
Political Scientists1.61%$132,350
Economists5.14%$115,730
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary3.23%$115,300
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary3.23%$93,810

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other$133,560
Political Scientists$132,350
Economists$115,730
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

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