2026 Best Political Science And Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Political Science And Government bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1304 schools 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 evaluated schools to build 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Claremont Mckenna College earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,980. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $12,000. 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. Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Brunswick, ME. Bowdoin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,832. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $19,634. Get the full Bowdoin College report
You'll be in good company at Dartmouth College, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $17,500. More on Dartmouth College
The strong Political Science And Government programs at Rice University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on Rice University
You'll be in good company at Williams College, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $10,750. Get the full Williams College report
Bates College placed #6 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lewiston, ME. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $66,590. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $11,532. Get the full Bates College report
Washington And Lee University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read more about Washington And Lee University
Yale University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about Yale University
Cornell University placed #9 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $14,400 in debt. More on Cornell University
Pomona College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,420 in tuition and fees. More on Pomona College
Brown University placed #11 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $14,481. More on Brown University
University Of Notre Dame came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More on University Of Notre Dame
Wake Forest University did well this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Students borrow a median of $23,133 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on Wake Forest University
Bucknell University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewisburg, PA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,812. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Bucknell University
Duke University placed #15 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $14,016. More on Duke University
Amherst College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Amherst College Political Science And Government students take on a median of $15,398 in debt. More on Amherst College
Stanford University placed #17 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $12,000. Read the full report on Stanford University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $13,426. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $14,722. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Harvard University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
Depauw University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Depauw University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greencastle, IN. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $27,000. See the full Depauw University profile
Vanderbilt University placed #22 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $12,000. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
University Of Chicago ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Northwestern University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $16,834. Read more about Northwestern University
Lafayette College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit school based in Easton, PA. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Lafayette College Political Science And Government students take on a median of $13,640 in debt. Read more about Lafayette College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Political Science And Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Santa Clara University placed #26 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $21,750. More on Santa Clara University
Princeton University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full Princeton University profile
Georgetown University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Trinity College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. Trinity College Political Science And Government students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read the full report on Trinity College
Colgate University placed #30 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Located in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Colgate University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $16,250 in debt. Read the full report on Colgate University
Barnard College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Based in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,888. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on Barnard College
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Washington University In St Louis placed #33 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Political Science And Government students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Hamilton College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $12,500. Read the full report on Hamilton College
Augustana College South Dakota ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read more about Augustana College South Dakota
Haverford College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Get the full Haverford College report
College Of The Holy Cross did well this year, earning the #37 position. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. College Of The Holy Cross Political Science And Government students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full College Of The Holy Cross report
College Of William And Mary did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read the full report on College Of William And Mary
Denison University placed #39 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Set in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Denison University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $24,125 in debt. Read the full report on Denison University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Texas Christian University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. 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
Kenyon College did well this year, earning the #42 position. Based in Gambier, OH, Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,520 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $18,354. Read more about Kenyon College
Swarthmore College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Swarthmore, PA, Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. Swarthmore College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $19,500. Read the full report on Swarthmore College
Boston College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $18,000. See the full Boston College profile
Middlebury College placed #45 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit school based in Middlebury, VT. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,600. Middlebury College Political Science And Government students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full Middlebury College report
Wabash College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Based 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. More on Wabash College
Hobart William Smith Colleges landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Geneva, NY, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,928. Hobart William Smith Colleges Political Science And Government students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Hobart William Smith Colleges
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $22,943 in student loans. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #49 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Political Science And Government students take on a median of $18,862 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
College Of Saint Benedict placed #50 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Set in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. College Of Saint Benedict Political Science And Government students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full College Of Saint Benedict profile
Related Political Science And Government Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Political Science And Government Schools (All Levels)
- 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 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. The methodology weighs 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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