100 Best Political Science schools in Pennsylvania

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Pennsylvania ranked based on their research performance in Political Science. A graph of 12.3M citations received by 366K academic papers made by 101 universities in Pennsylvania was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#8 in the United States

#9 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

2. Pennsylvania State University

University Park

For Political Science

#15 in the United States

#16 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

3. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#30 in the United States

#32 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#33 in the United States

#35 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

5. Temple University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#73 in the United States

#86 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

6. Drexel University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#102 in the United States

#121 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,801

7. California University of Pennsylvania

California

For Political Science

#127 in the United States

#149 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

8. Lehigh University

Bethlehem

For Political Science

#177 in the United States

#206 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $34,154

9. Villanova University

Villanova

For Political Science

#185 in the United States

#214 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1453
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,201

10. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#209 in the United States

#239 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $29,325

11. Duquesne University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#235 in the United States

#266 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,917

12. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore

For Political Science

#266 in the United States

#298 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,469

13. Bucknell University

Lewisburg

For Political Science

#299 in the United States

#335 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $39,003

14. Pennsylvania State University - College of Medicine

Hershey

For Political Science

#301 in the United States

#338 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

15. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana

For Political Science

#330 in the United States

#369 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1075
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 100%

16. Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr

For Political Science

#337 in the United States

#380 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $33,221

17. Widener University

Chester

For Political Science

#345 in the United States

#389 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1185
Net Price: $26,778
Receiving Aid: 100%

18. West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester

For Political Science

#368 in the United States

#413 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 88%

19. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#395 in the United States

#441 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $31,205

20. Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster

For Political Science

#407 in the United States

#453 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Average SAT: 1387
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $43,987

21. Gettysburg College

Gettysburg

For Political Science

#412 in the United States

#459 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $32,769

22. Haverford College

Haverford

For Political Science

#417 in the United States

#464 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,535

23. Lafayette College

Easton

For Political Science

#427 in the United States

#474 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,442

24. La Salle University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#451 in the United States

#499 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Net Price: $18,069
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $30,880

25. University of Scranton

Scranton

For Political Science

#462 in the United States

#511 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1239
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $34,234

26. Dickinson College

Carlisle

For Political Science

#482 in the United States

#532 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,483

27. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg

For Political Science

#555 in the United States

#611 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $6,756

28. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg

For Political Science

#560 in the United States

#617 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $6,347
Enrollment: 7,500

29. Robert Morris University

Moon Township

For Political Science

#567 in the United States

#624 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Net Price: $23,933
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $27,629

30. King's College - Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre

For Political Science

#569 in the United States

#626 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1170
Net Price: $23,689
Receiving Aid: 100%

31. Allegheny College

Meadville

For Political Science

#574 in the United States

#632 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1266
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $26,420

32. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Mansfield

For Political Science

#593 in the United States

#651 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $8,863
Enrollment: 1,784

33. University of the Sciences

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#598 in the United States

#656 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Net Price: $29,948
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $14,493

34. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown

For Political Science

#617 in the United States

#676 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1215
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $7,420

35. American College of Financial Services

Bryn Mawr

For Political Science

#631 in the United States

#694 in North America

Enrollment: 5,514
Male:Female: 72:28
Founded: 1927

36. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#632 in the United States

#695 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Net Price: $28,588
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $29,590

37. Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville

For Political Science

#644 in the United States

#707 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1115
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $6,143

38. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock

For Political Science

#671 in the United States

#735 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1085
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 96%

39. La Roche College

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#675 in the United States

#739 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1070
Average ACT: 19
Net Price: $24,108

40. York College of Pennsylvania

York

For Political Science

#693 in the United States

#757 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $20,096

41. Muhlenberg College

Allentown

For Political Science

#703 in the United States

#767 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $34,739

42. Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre

For Political Science

#707 in the United States

#771 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $28,511

43. Geneva College

Beaver Falls

For Political Science

#723 in the United States

#790 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $23,528
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $21,913

44. Arcadia University

Glenside

For Political Science

#732 in the United States

#799 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1165
Net Price: $30,037
Receiving Aid: 99%

45. Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown

For Political Science

#773 in the United States

#842 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1208
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $27,760

46. Chatham University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#791 in the United States

#861 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1183
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $31,280

47. Gannon University

Erie

For Political Science

#810 in the United States

#881 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Net Price: $23,123
Receiving Aid: 85%
Average Aid: $29,799

48. Thiel College

Greenville

For Political Science

#816 in the United States

#887 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Net Price: $22,545
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $30,356

49. Eastern University

Saint Davids

For Political Science

#819 in the United States

#890 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Net Price: $27,422
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $26,838

50. Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove

For Political Science

#821 in the United States

#892 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $26,444

51. Westminster College

New Wilmington

For Political Science

#837 in the United States

#908 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Net Price: $20,394
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $32,553

52. Ursinus College

Collegeville

For Political Science

#844 in the United States

#915 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1293
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $32,158

53. Lincoln University

Lincoln University

For Political Science

#856 in the United States

#927 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 890
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $13,750

54. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg

For Political Science

#858 in the United States

#929 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1090
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

55. Moravian College

Bethlehem

For Political Science

#859 in the United States

#930 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1178
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $31,743

56. Lock Haven University

Lock Haven

For Political Science

#874 in the United States

#945 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $4,862
Founded: 1870

57. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion

For Political Science

#903 in the United States

#974 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $8,127
Enrollment: 3,070

58. Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown

For Political Science

#906 in the United States

#977 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 72%

59. Marywood University

Scranton

For Political Science

#911 in the United States

#982 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $26,217

60. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro

For Political Science

#912 in the United States

#983 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $5,524
Enrollment: 4,319

61. Messiah College

Mechanicsburg

For Political Science

#916 in the United States

#987 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $29,408

62. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#924 in the United States

#996 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 2,901
Male:Female: 36:64

63. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Harrisburg

For Political Science

#926 in the United States

#998 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Net Price: $15,984
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $19,706

64. Grove City College

Grove City

For Political Science

#933 in the United States

#1005 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $25,289

65. Saint Francis University

Loretto

For Political Science

#941 in the United States

#1013 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $28,326

66. Misericordia University

Dallas

For Political Science

#950 in the United States

#1022 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Net Price: $26,747
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $27,066

67. Juniata College

Huntingdon

For Political Science

#984 in the United States

#1057 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $24,580

68. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Scranton

For Political Science

#988 in the United States

#1061 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $23,384
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $2,461

69. Lebanon Valley College

Annville

For Political Science

#996 in the United States

#1071 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1221
Net Price: $27,995
Receiving Aid: 100%

70. Biblical Theological Seminary

Hatfield

For Political Science

#1011 in the United States

#1086 in North America

Enrollment: 20
Male:Female: 65:35

71. Saint Vincent College

Latrobe

For Political Science

#1013 in the United States

#1088 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $23,758

72. Lycoming College

Williamsport

For Political Science

#1029 in the United States

#1105 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1190
Net Price: $20,492
Receiving Aid: 100%

73. Mercyhurst University

Erie

For Political Science

#1040 in the United States

#1116 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $25,946
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $33,949

74. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Erie

For Political Science

#1043 in the United States

#1119 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,133
Male:Female: 42:58

75. Wilson College

Chambersburg

For Political Science

#1050 in the United States

#1126 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1055
Net Price: $21,748
Receiving Aid: 99%

76. Washington & Jefferson College

Washington

For Political Science

#1053 in the United States

#1129 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $22,702
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $20,152

77. DeSales University

Center Valley

For Political Science

#1057 in the United States

#1133 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $31,732

78. Albright College

Reading

For Political Science

#1090 in the United States

#1167 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Net Price: $20,587
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $23,069

79. Immaculata University

Immaculata

For Political Science

#1093 in the United States

#1170 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1240
Net Price: $24,708
Receiving Aid: 99%

80. University of the Arts in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1117 in the United States

#1194 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Net Price: $44,510
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $26,324

81. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley

For Political Science

#1135 in the United States

#1212 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1105
Net Price: $27,960
Receiving Aid: 100%

82. Moore College of Art and Design

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1154 in the United States

#1231 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $43,626

83. Neumann University

Aston

For Political Science

#1176 in the United States

#1253 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $28,469
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $28,711

84. Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Brandywine

Media

For Political Science

#1206 in the United States

#1283 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Average SAT: 1195
Receiving Aid: 84%
Average Aid: $9,113

85. Alvernia University

Reading

For Political Science

#1218 in the United States

#1296 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1190
Net Price: $28,645
Receiving Aid: 100%

86. Holy Family University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1221 in the United States

#1299 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1030
Net Price: $14,072
Receiving Aid: 100%

87. Point Park University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1224 in the United States

#1302 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Net Price: $26,502
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $26,159

88. Carlow University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1232 in the United States

#1310 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1064
Net Price: $21,002
Receiving Aid: 100%

89. Cabrini University

Radnor

For Political Science

#1234 in the United States

#1312 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Net Price: $24,733
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $24,025

90. University of Valley Forge

Phoenixville

For Political Science

#1258 in the United States

#1337 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Net Price: $27,083
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $18,369

91. Salus University

Elkins Park

For Political Science

#1266 in the United States

#1345 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 1,106
Male:Female: 20:80
Founded: 1919

92. Cedar Crest College

Allentown

For Political Science

#1268 in the United States

#1347 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Net Price: $23,691
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $33,323

93. Seton Hill University

Greensburg

For Political Science

#1295 in the United States

#1374 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $23,056

94. Rosemont College

Rosemont

For Political Science

#1307 in the United States

#1386 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Net Price: $20,994
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $17,148

95. Gratz College

Melrose Park

For Political Science

#1327 in the United States

#1406 in North America

Enrollment: 449
Male:Female: 14:86
Founded: 1895

96. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1360 in the United States

#1441 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 202
Male:Female: 47:53

97. Mount Aloysius College

Cresson

For Political Science

#1392 in the United States

#1475 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1043
Net Price: $22,216
Receiving Aid: 100%

98. Delaware Valley University

Doylestown

For Political Science

#1399 in the United States

#1482 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1197
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $28,975

99. Keystone College

La Plume

For Political Science

#1453 in the United States

#1539 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Net Price: $21,952
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,119

100. Waynesburg University

Waynesburg

For Political Science

#1497 in the United States

#1586 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1090
Average ACT: 21
Net Price: $18,667

Closest to Pennsylvania states to learn Political Science

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Maryland	28	13
District of Columbia	12	41
New Jersey	28	21
Delaware	4	86
New York	139	5
West Virginia	17	123
Connecticut	21	7
Virginia	42	32
Ohio	63	19
Massachusetts	71	1
Rhode Island	9	66
Vermont	11	129
New Hampshire	12	75
North Carolina	47	20
Indiana	35	39
Kentucky	28	63
Michigan	43	2
South Carolina	31	61
Maine	14	227
Tennessee	37	46
Illinois	78	9
Georgia	50	45
Wisconsin	34	16
Alabama	26	97
Iowa	31	49
Missouri	40	43
Mississippi	14	178
Minnesota	29	18
Arkansas	17	130
Florida	64	34
Louisiana	26	84
Kansas	17	68
South Dakota	9	338
Nebraska	13	83
Oklahoma	20	92
North Dakota	8	229
Texas	82	22
Colorado	22	57
New Mexico	8	105
Montana	8	202
Puerto Rico	13	527
Utah	11	50
Idaho	7	240
Arizona	10	24
Nevada	6	133
Washington	32	6
Oregon	19	106
California	133	3
Alaska	4	331
Hawaii	7	113