2026 Best Political Science And Government Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Political Science And Government doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1304 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Rice University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $11,904. Read more about Rice University
The strong Political Science And Government programs at Teachers College At Columbia University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Teachers College At Columbia University report
The strong Political Science And Government programs at Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned it the #3 place in the United States. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
The strong Political Science And Government programs at Yale University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Yale University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. See the full Yale University profile
Out of the 1304 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stanford University landed the #5 spot. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full Stanford University report
Harvard University placed #6 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Harvard University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Harvard University
Duke University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $14,016. Get the full Duke University report
Johns Hopkins University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $13,426. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Cornell University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans. See the full Cornell University profile
Brown University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $14,481. Read more about Brown University
University Of Notre Dame came in at #11 in this year's ranking. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $19,000. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Princeton University placed #12 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $10,888. More on Princeton University
Northwestern University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full Northwestern University report
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based 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 average $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $14,722 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Chicago ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago 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 $69,324. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $18,500. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Vanderbilt University placed #16 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. 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
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on Georgetown University
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Claremont Graduate University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,015 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $18,500. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #22 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $22,943. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Boston College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Boston College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $18,862. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Michigan State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $22,576 in debt. See the full Michigan State University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Political Science And Government Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Emory University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Emory University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $17,590 in debt. Read more about Emory University
University Of Rochester landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. University Of Rochester posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $21,000. Get the full University Of Rochester report
New York University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full New York University profile
George Washington University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on George Washington University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,768 in student loans. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Catholic University Of America placed #32 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $25,000. Read more about Catholic University Of America
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. University Of California Los Angeles Political Science And Government students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Delaware landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full University Of Delaware report
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
American University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $23,250. More on American University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,025 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of Iowa landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on University Of Iowa
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Political Science And Government students take on a median of $17,951 in debt. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Purdue University Main Campus placed #42 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Political Science And Government students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
Syracuse University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $26,799. More on Syracuse University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. University Of California Santa Barbara Political Science And Government students take on a median of $16,485 in debt. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
Boston University placed #45 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Boston University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read more about Boston University
Brandeis University placed #46 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. Brandeis University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $23,333 in debt. Get the full Brandeis University report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $20,465. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Georgia landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. University Of Georgia Political Science And Government students take on a median of $22,171 in debt. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $21,500. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Northeastern University placed #50 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,162. Students borrow a median of $22,579 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Northeastern University
Related Political Science And Government Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Master’s 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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