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Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools

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2023 Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools

1,312 Colleges
$34,387 Avg Salary
$23,175 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Political Science & Government School for You

In 2020-2021, 49,282 people earned a degree or certificate in political science and government, making the major the #20 most popular in the United States.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools ranking. This report analyzed 1,312 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Political Science & Government program at each school on the list.

Check out the political science programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

Our 2023 rankings named University of California - Los Angeles the most popular school in the United States for political science and government students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a very large student population.

Political Science majors at UCLA take out an average of $15,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $263, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Political Science & Government at University of California - Los Angeles Report

Out of the 1,312 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that political science majors at UC Berkeley take out is $13,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $233.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of California - Berkeley

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

The excellent programs at Florida State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best political science and government schools in the United States. Florida State is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee.

While working on their degree, political science majors at Florida State accumulate an average of around $20,500 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $184.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Florida State University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend George Washington University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools list. GWU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Washington.

After completing their degree, political science graduates from GWU carry an average student debt load of $23,250. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $497, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools list. UCSD is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla.

While working on their degree, political science majors at UCSD accumulate an average of around $16,500 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $190.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that political science majors at UW - Madison take out is $21,655. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $317.

Full Political Science & Government at University of Wisconsin - Madison Report

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for political science and government students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, political science majors at ASU - Tempe accumulate an average of around $23,251 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $357.

Full Political Science & Government at Arizona State University - Tempe Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. UW Seattle is a very large public school located in the large city of Seattle.

After completing their degree, political science graduates from UW Seattle carry an average student debt load of $14,584. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $333, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#9

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public school with a very large student population.

Political Science majors at UF take out an average of $15,750 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $154, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools ranking. UCF is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Orlando.

The average amount in student loans that political science majors at UCF take out is $21,422.

Full Political Science & Government at University of Central Florida Report

University of California - Irvine landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that political science majors at UC Irvine take out is $16,445. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $172, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Political Science & Government at University of California - Irvine Report

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public school with a very large student population.

Political Science majors at UNC Chapel Hill take out an average of $15,775 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $230.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Florida International University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for political science and government students. It came in at #13 on the list. FIU is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami.

Political Science majors at FIU take out an average of $17,300 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Florida International University

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for political science and government students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, political science majors at UT Austin accumulate an average of around $21,500 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $293, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

With a ranking of #15, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for political science and government students. UMCP is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of College Park.

After completing their degree, political science graduates from UMCP carry an average student debt load of $19,500. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $366.

Full Political Science & Government at University of Maryland - College Park Report

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools list. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, political science graduates from UCSB take out $15,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $398.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of California - Santa Barbara

University of California - Davis landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Political Science majors at UC Davis take out an average of $12,743 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $242.

Full Political Science & Government at University of California - Davis Report

#18

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington.

After completing their degree, political science graduates from Georgetown carry an average student debt load of $17,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $673.

Read More…

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Texas A&M College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station.

Political Science majors at Texas A&M College Station take out an average of $18,760 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $275, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#20

American University

Washington, DC

American University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Located in the large city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

On average, political science graduates from The American University take out $24,170 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $576.

Full Political Science & Government at American University Report

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

While working on their degree, political science majors at Columbia accumulate an average of around $22,775 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $537.

Read More…

With a ranking of #22, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for political science and government students. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, political science graduates from U-M carry an average student debt load of $18,179. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $430, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

University of California - Riverside came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools ranking. Located in the city of Riverside, UCR is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, political science majors at UCR accumulate an average of around $20,270 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $174.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of California - Riverside

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, political science graduates from Ohio State carry an average student debt load of $23,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $317.

Read More…

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular political science and government programs. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Minneapolis.

The average amount in student loans that political science majors at UMN Twin Cities take out is $20,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $248.

Full Political Science & Government at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#28

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA
#29

New York University

New York, NY
#30

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA
#31

University of Georgia

Athens, GA
#32

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ
#33

University of Houston

Houston, TX
#34

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA
#35

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
#35

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL
#37

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR
#42

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN
#45

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA
#48

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Remaining Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1312 different United States political science and government schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
52 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
53 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
54 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
55 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
56 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
57 University at Albany Albany, NY
58 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
58 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
60 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
61 Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
62 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
63 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
64 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
65 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
66 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
67 University of Delaware Newark, DE
68 Harvard University Cambridge, MA
68 University of North Texas Denton, TX
70 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
71 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
72 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
72 Boston University Boston, MA
74 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
75 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
75 Fordham University Bronx, NY
77 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
78 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
78 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
80 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
81 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
81 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
83 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
83 Yale University New Haven, CT
85 Queens College Queens, NY
85 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
87 University of Chicago Chicago, IL
88 United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD
89 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
89 Duke University Durham, NC
91 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
91 Northeastern University Boston, MA
93 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
94 Villanova University Villanova, PA
95 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
95 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
97 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
97 Howard University Washington, DC
99 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
100 Clemson University Clemson, SC
101 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
101 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
101 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
101 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
105 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
106 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
107 Emory University Atlanta, GA
108 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
108 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
110 Baylor University Waco, TX
111 Washington State University Pullman, WA
112 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
112 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
114 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
115 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
116 College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
116 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
118 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
118 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
120 University of Vermont Burlington, VT
121 Auburn University Auburn, AL
122 Hunter College New York, NY
123 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
124 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY
124 DePaul University Chicago, IL
124 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
124 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
124 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
129 University of Mississippi University, MS
129 University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD
129 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
129 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
129 Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
134 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
134 Portland State University Portland, OR
136 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
137 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
138 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
138 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
138 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
141 Brown University Providence, RI
141 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
143 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO
143 University of California - Merced Merced, CA
145 Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
145 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
145 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
148 College of Charleston Charleston, SC
149 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
150 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
150 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
152 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
153 Utah State University Logan, UT
154 Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA
154 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
154 The City College of New York New York, NY
157 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
157 Stanford University Stanford, CA
157 Catholic University of America Washington, DC
157 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX
161 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
161 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
161 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
164 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
164 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
164 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
164 Elon University Elon, NC
168 University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH
169 Furman University Greenville, SC
170 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO
170 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
172 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
172 University of Washington - Bothell Campus Bothell, WA
174 Colgate University Hamilton, NY
174 Davidson College Davidson, NC
176 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
177 Colby College Waterville, ME
177 Towson University Towson, MD
179 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
180 Trinity College Hartford, CT
180 Tufts University Medford, MA
180 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
180 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
184 Boise State University Boise, ID
185 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
186 Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJ
186 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
186 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
186 Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
190 University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PR
191 Iowa State University Ames, IA
191 Chapman University Orange, CA
191 Suffolk University Boston, MA
191 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
195 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
196 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
196 St Lawrence University Canton, NY

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools award.

Rank College Location
198 Illinois State University Normal, IL
199 Baruch College New York, NY
199 Bates College Lewiston, ME
201 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
202 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
202 Union College New York Schenectady, NY
202 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
205 Middlebury College Middlebury, VT
205 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
205 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX
205 Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY
209 Lafayette College Easton, PA
210 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
210 Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA
210 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
213 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
213 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
213 Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA
213 Providence College Providence, RI
213 Rice University Houston, TX
213 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
219 SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY
220 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
220 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
222 University of Maine Orono, ME
222 Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC
222 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
222 East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA
226 Brandeis University Waltham, MA
226 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
226 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
226 Smith College Northampton, MA
226 Dickinson College Carlisle, PA
226 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
232 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
232 Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MI
232 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
232 Clark University Worcester, MA
236 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX
236 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
238 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
238 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
238 University of Denver Denver, CO
238 The University of Tampa Tampa, FL
238 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
243 Oberlin College Oberlin, OH
243 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
245 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
245 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
245 United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT
245 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
245 New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NM
250 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
250 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
250 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
250 California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CA
250 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
250 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
250 Pace University - New York New York, NY
250 Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA
250 Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA
250 SUNY Geneseo Geneseo, NY
250 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA
250 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
262 Barnard College New York, NY
262 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA
262 United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO
262 Pepperdine University Malibu, CA
262 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
262 Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA
262 Troy University Troy, AL
262 Spelman College Atlanta, GA

Political Science & Government by Region

View the Most Popular Political Science & Government Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 12 majors within the area of study, political science and government has other similar majors worth exploring.

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.

  • 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.

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