2026 Best Political Science And Government Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Political Science And Government graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1304 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than University Of Pennsylvania this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $14,722. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
The strong Political Science And Government programs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on this year's Political Science And Government ranking 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. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Students borrow a median of $22,943 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Out of the 1304 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, George Washington University landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $23,000. Read more about George Washington University
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $17,951. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
University Of Florida came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. See the full University Of Florida profile
Florida International University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Get the full Florida International University report
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $22,119. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Sam Houston State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. This public school is set in Huntsville, TX. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
University Of Central Florida came in at #10 in this year's ranking. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. University Of Central Florida Political Science And Government students take on a median of $21,344 in debt. Get the full University Of Central Florida report
University Of Memphis did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $24,450. Read more about University Of Memphis
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Boston, MA, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. University Of Massachusetts Boston Political Science And Government students take on a median of $24,824 in debt. More on University Of Massachusetts Boston
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro report
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $21,097. See the full The University Of Texas At El Paso profile
St Johns University New York came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Queens, NY, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Graduates carry a median of $26,827 in student loans. More on St Johns University New York
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. More on Arizona State University Skysong
Ashford University placed #17 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. More on Ashford University
California State University San Bernardino ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. More on California State University San Bernardino
Dominican University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Read more about Dominican University
Los Angeles Trade Technical College did well this year, earning the #20 position. More on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Marist College
Marist College landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Marist College
New England College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. More on New England College
Southeastern University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Read more about Southeastern University
Canada College
Canada College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. More on Canada College
Los Medanos College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full Los Medanos College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Political Science And Government Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Samford University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Samford University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #27 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Utah State University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Utah State University
Bates College
Bates College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Bates College
Chatham University did well this year, earning the #30 position. See the full Chatham University profile
Lawrence University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. See the full Lawrence University profile
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
University Of Rhode Island placed #33 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
Kansas State University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Kansas State University report
Rio Salado College landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Rio Salado College report
The University Of Tennessee placed #36 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Bryan College Dayton came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Read more about Bryan College Dayton
Los Angeles Pierce College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Get the full Los Angeles Pierce College report
Morgan Community College placed #39 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Read more about Morgan Community College
Pennsylvania Western University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Western University
Towson University did well this year, earning the #41 position. More on Towson University
Westminster College Pa landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Westminster College Pa
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on College Of The Holy Cross
Edgewood College
Edgewood College placed #44 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Read more about Edgewood College
Fort Lewis College did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Fort Lewis College profile
Hampden Sydney College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Hampden Sydney College report
Pacific University placed #47 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Get the full Pacific University report
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre came in at #48 in this year's ranking. More on Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Get the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks report
University Of Louisiana Lafayette did well this year, earning the #50 position. See the full University Of Louisiana Lafayette profile
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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Political Science And Government Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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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