The best political science research universities 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.
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.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in political science can open numerous professionals doors. For instance, as a political science major, you’ll learn how local, state, and federal governments intersect, how electoral politics work, and how legislation is created. This knowledge could provide you with the tools to take part in policy development, run for elected office, or engage in social activism.
But a political science major can also be an excellent starting point on the way to a Law School degree or a way to enter into public service in a wide range of fields including healthcare, environmental conservation, city planning, and much more. Today, top influencers in Political Science are breaking new ground in countless critical areas, including the relationship between public opinion and political behavior, U.S. foreign policy, the fight against corruption in state building and much more.
Back to TopPolitical science is an excellent interdisciplinary major, touching on history, philosophy, and sociology, as well as incorporating practical subjects such as public survey, demographic analysis, epidemiology, and more. This means you could parlay your degree in political science into a wide range of rewarding careers. There are countless ways to apply your degree through local, state, and federal governance, including public health, technology, commerce, planning, and much more.
It is noteworthy that many of the top-paying professions connected to the political science discipline will require you to earn a master’s degree. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those who continue into an advanced degree program can become historians, who earned a median of $63,680 in 2019, urban planners, who made a median of $74,350, and political scientists, who earned a robust median of $122,220 that year.
Back to TopOnce you’ve declared your major in political science, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized political science electives, there are several courses that most political science majors will be required to take, including:
Majoring in political science is a great starting point for a number of different career paths. Governance touches on everything in our lives, from economics, education, and environment to security, history and health. Your degree in political science could give you a chance to contribute to the public well-being in any of these areas. Top jobs for political science majors include the following:
Related: How to Major in Political Science
If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in political science.
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
98%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1515/34
Harvard University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
96%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
Columbia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
96%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1515/34
Yale University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
95%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/33
Stanford University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
98%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1515/34
Princeton University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
96%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/34
University of Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
92%
Student body
43K
Median SAT/ACT
1430/33
University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
94%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1465/33
Georgetown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Subfields: American Government, Comparative Government, International Relations, Political Theory
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
96%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/35
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
96%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
95%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1480/33
Cornell University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
26%
Graduation
93%
Student body
45K
Median SAT/ACT
1435/32
University of Michigan’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
96%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1525/34
Duke University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
94%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1510/34
Johns Hopkins University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
21%
Graduation
88%
Student body
49K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/32
New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
95%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
Brown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
92%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1445/32
University of Southern California’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
91%
Student body
45K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/32
University of California, Los Angeles’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
95%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1495/34
Northwestern University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
95%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/33
Dartmouth College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
94%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1465/33
Tufts University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
23%
Graduation
94%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1430/32
University of Virginia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
97%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1475/33
University of Notre Dame’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Interdisciplinary Minors:
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
93%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1510/34
Carnegie Mellon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
94%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
Washington University in St. Louis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Political Science Subfields:
Go to all Research Universities for Political Science programs
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