2023 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region
Finding the Best Political Science & Government School for You
Out of all the majors we analyze each year, political science and government was ranked #20 in the country. In fact 49,282 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 142 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Political Science & Government Colleges.
Top 15% Best Political Science & Government Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Washington and Lee University the best school in the Southeast Region for political science and government students. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington and Lee is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at Washington and Lee take out is $25,580.
Request Information
The excellent programs at Wake Forest University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best political science and government schools in the Southeast Region . Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Winston-Salem.
While working on their degree, political science majors at Wake Forest University accumulate an average of around $20,489 in student debt.
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Durham.
While working on their degree, political science majors at Duke accumulate an average of around $11,500 in student debt.
Full Political Science & Government at Duke University Report
Request Information
Out of the 142 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Nashville.
On average, political science graduates from Vanderbilt take out $8,469 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt University Report
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, political science graduates from University of Virginia take out $19,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
Request Information
William & Mary ranked #6 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
After completing their degree, political science graduates from William & Mary carry an average student debtload of $19,400. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $417.
Request Information
Virginia Tech did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for political science and government students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, political science graduates from Virginia Tech carry an average student debtload of $23,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $450.
Request Information
Florida Southern College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Political Science majors at Florida Southern take out an average of $23,750 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Political Science & Government at Florida Southern College Report
Request Information
Sewanee - The University of the South landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best political science and government programs. Sewanee is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee.
Political Science majors at Sewanee take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Political Science & Government at Sewanee - The University of the South Report
Request Information
Furman University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best political science and government programs. Furman is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Greenville.
After completing their degree, political science graduates from Furman carry an average student debtload of $26,500.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Furman University
Request Information
Emory University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Emory is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at Emory take out is $19,750.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Emory University
Request Information
With a ranking of #12, University of Richmond did quite well on this year’s best schools for political science and government students. Located in the city of University of Richmond, URichmond is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, political science majors at URichmond accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.
Full Political Science & Government at University of Richmond Report
Request Information
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill.
Political Science majors at UNC Chapel Hill take out an average of $15,775 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $230.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Request Information
Roanoke College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Roanoke is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Salem.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at Roanoke take out is $27,000.
Request Information
Elon University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Elon, Elon is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
While working on their degree, political science majors at Elon accumulate an average of around $19,000 in student debt.
Full Political Science & Government at Elon University Report
Request Information
Citadel Military College of South Carolina ranked #16 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the medium-sized city of Charleston, The Citadel is a public college with a small student population.
Political Science majors at The Citadel take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $492.
Request Information
Christopher Newport University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the midsize city of Newport News, CNU is a public school with a small student population.
On average, political science graduates from CNU take out $24,950 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $389, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
James Madison University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for political science and government students. It came in at #18 on the list. JMU is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg.
On average, political science graduates from JMU take out $22,392 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $517.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at James Madison University
Request Information
Randolph - Macon College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Ashland, Randolph - Macon is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that political science majors at Randolph - Macon take out is $27,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $323.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Randolph - Macon College
Request Information
Spelman College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Atlanta, Spelman is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, political science graduates from Spelman carry an average student debtload of $26,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $1,203.
Request Information
North Carolina State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for political science and government students. It came in at #21 on the list. NC State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Raleigh.
Political Science majors at NC State take out an average of $23,125 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $335.
Full Political Science & Government at North Carolina State University Report
Request InformationHonorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC |
| 23 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
| 24 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA |
| 25 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 26 | American Public University System | Charles Town, WV |
| 27 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA |
| 28 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL |
Best Political Science & Government Colleges by State
Explore the best political science and government colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Georgia | 1,199 |
| Virginia | 1,786 |
| North Carolina | 1,764 |
| Florida | 2,532 |
| Tennessee | 718 |
| Kentucky | 439 |
| South Carolina | 768 |
| Louisiana | 582 |
| Arkansas | 297 |
| Alabama | 566 |
| Mississippi | 294 |
| West Virginia | 290 |
More Political Science & Government Rankings in the Southeast Region
Rankings in Majors Related to Political Science
Political Science & Government is one of 12 different types of programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to Political Science
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 49,055 |
| Sociology | 38,475 |
| General Social Sciences | 18,997 |
| International Relations & National Security | 14,306 |
| Anthropology | 11,415 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to UKWiki at English Wikipedia.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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.