2026 Best Political Science And Government Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Political Science And Government master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1304 colleges 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 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Johns Hopkins University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
The strong Political Science And Government programs at Rice University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $11,904. Get the full Rice University report
Out of the 1304 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #3 spot. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $17,921. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Out of the 1304 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Yale University landed the #4 spot. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $15,000. Get the full Yale University report
The strong Political Science And Government programs at Harvard University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $16,616. Read more about Harvard University
Teachers College At Columbia University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set 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
Brown University placed #7 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $14,481. Get the full Brown University report
Cornell University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans. Read the full report on Cornell University
Duke University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $14,016. Read the full report on Duke University
Stanford University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on Stanford University
University Of Notre Dame landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. 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. University Of Notre Dame Political Science And Government students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Northwestern University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $16,834. Read more about Northwestern University
Princeton University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $10,888. More on Princeton University
Vanderbilt University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,722 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #16 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $18,500. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $16,500. Get the full Georgetown University report
George Washington University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students 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. Read the full report on George Washington University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $22,943 in student loans. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of California Berkeley ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $13,000. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $24,250. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Villanova University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $25,620 in student loans. More on Villanova University
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Read more about University Of Chicago
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #25 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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
Rest of the Top 50 Best Political Science And Government Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Rochester landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $21,000. Read more about University Of Rochester
Boston College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full Boston College profile
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Political Science And Government students take on a median of $18,768 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Claremont Graduate University placed #29 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Claremont Graduate University
Marquette University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Marquette University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. Get the full Marquette University report
Catholic University Of America ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Based in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $25,000. See the full Catholic University Of America profile
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $20,817. Get the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina report
Emory University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University 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 $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $17,590 in student loans. Read more about Emory University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Irvine placed #35 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $16,293. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
New York University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $20,500. See the full New York University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
James Madison University placed #38 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Set in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full James Madison University profile
American University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read the full report on American University
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Political Science And Government students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Delaware placed #41 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This public school is set in Newark, DE. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $24,998. Get the full University Of Delaware report
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #42 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $20,500. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Purdue University Main Campus placed #43 among Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
University Of California San Diego landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $16,030. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #45 position. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. See the full University Of Iowa profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Political Science And Government students take on a median of $20,025 in debt. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $16,485. See the full University Of California Santa Barbara profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Political Science And Government schools. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Political Science And Government students take on a median of $24,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
George Mason University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $22,000. More on George Mason University
Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $26,799 in student loans. Read more about Syracuse 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 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.