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Best Political Science Schools
The top 25 of 528 U.S. colleges offering an undergraduate Political Science degree, ranked by early-career earnings and return on investment — using each school's real, aid-adjusted net price rather than sticker tuition.
Is Political Science worth it?
The payoff for a political science degree is incredibly polarized. At the highest echelon, this major is an absolute powerhouse, acting as a premier pipeline into management consulting, investment banking, and elite law schools. If you attend a globally recognized private university, the degree pays for itself rapidly through sheer network power and prestige recruitment. However, outside of that elite bubble, the major can be financially risky if you overpay. For the average student, the clearest path to a strong return on investment is at low-cost, regional public universities that feed directly into state capitols, local agencies, or regional business hubs without burying you in debt.
| # | School | State | Median earnings | Net price / yr | 10-yr net ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University | NJ | $63,317 | $6,128 | +$609K |
| 2 | Harvard University | MA | $61,543 | $19,066 | +$539K |
| 3 | Yale University | CT | $57,466 | $23,777 | +$480K |
| 4 | Columbia University in the City of New York | NY | $61,077 | $21,590 | +$524K |
| 5 | Bowdoin College | ME | $60,626 | $14,398 | +$549K |
| 6 | Williams College | MA | $56,817 | $17,716 | +$497K |
| 7 | University of Chicago | IL | $56,022 | $14,860 | +$501K |
| 8 | Rice University | TX | $54,728 | $13,370 | +$494K |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania | PA | $65,473 | $28,699 | +$540K |
| 10 | Colby College | ME | $54,353 | $17,180 | +$475K |
| 11 | Dartmouth College | NH | $72,618 | $29,519 | +$608K |
| 12 | Stanford University | CA | $59,297 | $13,807 | +$538K |
| 13 | Vanderbilt University | TN | $46,843 | $15,846 | +$405K |
| 14 | Amherst College | MA | $61,125 | $23,367 | +$518K |
| 15 | Duke University | NC | $54,970 | $29,612 | +$431K |
| 16 | Barnard College | NY | $57,298 | $28,800 | +$458K |
| 17 | Colgate University | NY | $56,064 | $28,786 | +$445K |
| 18 | Brigham Young University | UT | $47,020 | $15,564 | +$408K |
| 19 | University of California-Berkeley | CA | $45,418 | $13,481† | +$400K |
| 20 | Cornell University | NY | $60,292 | $28,690 | +$488K |
| 21 | California State University-East Bay | CA | $40,460 | $9,320† | +$367K |
| 22 | Brown University | RI | $54,634 | $25,184 | +$446K |
| 23 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | VA | $45,875 | $21,565† | +$372K |
| 24 | CUNY Lehman College | NY | $43,059 | $3,148† | +$418K |
| 25 | University of Maryland-College Park | MD | $42,688 | $15,678† | +$364K |
Top 10 programs by 10-year net ROI
Why these schools rank where they do
Princeton takes the #1 spot not just because of its name, but because its Politics department operates as a direct conveyor belt to the world’s most lucrative employers. Princeton political science grads are heavily recruited by top-tier strategy consulting firms and Wall Street banks, sectors where entry-level salaries dwarf typical government pay. The top of this ranking is entirely dominated by the Ivy League and elite liberal arts colleges like Bowdoin and Williams for this exact reason: corporate employers use these specific political science programs as a proxy for elite analytical talent.
But the most fascinating story in this ranking is at the bottom of the top 25. CUNY Lehman College and California State University-East Bay beat out hundreds of famous private schools. They achieve this through geography and extreme affordability. By charging rock-bottom tuition and placing graduates directly into the massive civic, non-profit, and corporate bureaucracies of New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, these regional commuter campuses generate a return on investment that rivals elite private institutions.
What is Political Science?
Political science is the rigorous study of power, institutions, and political behavior. Graduates don't just run for office; day-to-day, they are analyzing policy impacts, managing public relations, consulting for global corporations, or laying the groundwork for a career in law.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to go to an elite school to succeed in political science?
No, but it fundamentally changes your trajectory. Elite private schools feed directly into national consulting firms, high finance, and top-tier federal roles. State universities, on the other hand, are excellent pipelines into regional politics, state legislatures, campaign management, and local business. You need to match your college choice to your specific career goals.
Are all political science grads working in government?
Not at all. A massive chunk of political science graduates end up in the private sector. The analytical, writing, and strategic skills you learn translate exceptionally well to market research, public relations, tech policy, corporate compliance, and human resources.
Should I double major if I study political science?
It is highly recommended if you want to maximize your immediate employability. Pairing political science with a quantitative field like economics, data science, or statistics makes you significantly more competitive for policy analysis roles, political polling, and private sector jobs that require hard data skills.