2026 Best Political Science And Government Schools
Looking for the best Political Science And Government programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 1304 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Political Science And Government Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Claremont Mckenna College this year in the United States. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Mckenna College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,980. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about Claremont Mckenna College
Bowdoin College came in at #2 on this year's Political Science And Government ranking in the United States. Based in Brunswick, ME, Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Bowdoin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,832. Students borrow a median of $19,634 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Bowdoin College
Out of the 1304 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Dartmouth College landed the #3 spot. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full Dartmouth College report
Rice University came in at #4 on this year's Political Science And Government ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full Rice University report
Out of the 1304 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Williams College landed the #5 spot. Based in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,560. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full Williams College profile
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Cuny Graduate School And University Center Political Science And Government students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
Johns Hopkins University placed #7 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #8 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Teachers College At Columbia University
Bates College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lewiston, ME, Bates College is a private not-for-profit institution. Bates College posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,590. Bates College Political Science And Government students take on a median of $11,532 in debt. More on Bates College
Yale University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full Yale University report
Washington And Lee University placed #11 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Washington And Lee University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $20,074 in debt. See the full Washington And Lee University profile
Cornell University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $14,400. More on Cornell University
Pomona College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Claremont, CA, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,420 in tuition and fees. Read the full report on Pomona College
Brown University placed #14 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $14,481. See the full Brown University profile
Wake Forest University placed #15 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Students borrow a median of $23,133 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full Wake Forest University report
University Of Notre Dame came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Harvard University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Harvard University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Harvard University
Bucknell University placed #18 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewisburg, PA. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,812. Bucknell University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. See the full Bucknell University profile
Stanford University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Stanford University
Duke University placed #20 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Duke University
Amherst College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Amherst College Political Science And Government students take on a median of $15,398 in debt. See the full Amherst College profile
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #22 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Political Science And Government students take on a median of $14,722 in debt. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Depauw University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depauw University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $59,070 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Depauw University report
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Northwestern University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $16,834 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Political Science And Government Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Lafayette College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $13,640. Read the full report on Lafayette College
University Of Chicago placed #27 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. University Of Chicago Political Science And Government students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Princeton University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. About 98% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Princeton University
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Santa Clara University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $21,750 in debt. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Georgetown University placed #30 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Trinity College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $25,000. More on Trinity College
Colgate University placed #32 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. Graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Colgate University
Barnard College did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $19,000. Get the full Barnard College report
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #34 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $18,015. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #35 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $18,500. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Hamilton College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Hamilton College Political Science And Government students take on a median of $12,500 in debt. Read more about Hamilton College
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full Augustana College South Dakota report
Haverford College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. More on Haverford College
College Of The Holy Cross did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on College Of The Holy Cross
College Of William And Mary placed #40 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This public school is set in Williamsburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. College Of William And Mary Political Science And Government students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full College Of William And Mary report
Denison University did well this year, earning the #41 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Granville, OH. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $24,125. Read more about Denison University
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Texas Christian University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $25,000. Get the full Texas Christian University report
Claremont Graduate University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Claremont Graduate University report
Kenyon College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in Gambier, OH, Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,520. Graduates carry a median of $18,354 in student loans. Read the full report on Kenyon College
Swarthmore College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Swarthmore, PA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,494. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $19,500. Get the full Swarthmore College report
Middlebury College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in Middlebury, VT, Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $19,500. Read the full report on Middlebury College
Boston College placed #48 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Boston College
Wabash College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in Crawfordsville, IN, Wabash College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $50,800. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Wabash College
Hobart William Smith Colleges did well this year, earning the #50 position. Located in Geneva, NY, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,928 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Hobart William Smith Colleges
Best Political Science And Government Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Political Science And Government Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1304 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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