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Best Political Science & Government Programs 2026

Top political science programs ranked by career outcomes. Compare schools for government, policy, and pre-law tracks.

9 programs ranked
$43,565 avg salary
5 public schools
💻 Computer Science⚙️ Engineering📊 Business & Finance📈 Economics🧬 Biology & Pre-Med📐 Mathematics & Statistics🏛️ Political Science & Government🧠 Psychology🎤 Communications & Media📚 Liberal Arts & Humanities📖 Education & Teaching⚛️ Physics & Physical Sciences
1

Political Science and Government

92/100

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

$58,808 median salary$16,816/yr net cost2.5 yr break-even+96% vs. HS diploma
2

Public Policy Analysis

86/100

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL

$51,165 median salary$18,967/yr net cost3.8 yr break-even+71% vs. HS diploma
3

Political Science and Government

84/100

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL

$48,082 median salary$18,967/yr net cost4.5 yr break-even+60% vs. HS diploma
4

Political Science and Government

85/100

Stanford University · Stanford, CA

$46,407 median salary$12,136/yr net cost3.2 yr break-even+55% vs. HS diploma
5

Public Policy Analysis

82/100Public

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI

$44,429 median salary$14,832/yr net cost4.6 yr break-even+48% vs. HS diploma
6

Political Science and Government

78/100Public

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI

$40,625 median salary$14,832/yr net cost6.3 yr break-even+35% vs. HS diploma
7

Political Science and Government

78/100Public

University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA

$40,526 median salary$14,979/yr net cost6.1 yr break-even+35% vs. HS diploma
8

Political Science and Government

50/100Public

Wayne State University · Detroit, MI

$32,349 median salary$14,773/yr net cost28.5 yr break-even+8% vs. HS diploma
9

Public Administration

48/100Public

Wayne State University · Detroit, MI

$29,693 median salary$14,773/yr net cost+-1% vs. HS diploma

Compare Schools Side by Side

See how different political science & government programs stack up on cost, salary, and graduation rates.

Compare SchoolsOverall Rankings

Rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Programs are ranked by median earnings 1 year after completion. Data reflects bachelor's degree programs only.