100 Best Political Science schools in Pennsylvania

Updated: March 02, 2025

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 11.6M citations received by 357K 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: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

2. Pennsylvania State University

University Park

For Political Science

#15 in the United States

#16 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

3. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#30 in the United States

#32 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#33 in the United States

#35 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

5. Temple University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#73 in the United States

#86 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $11,891
Enrollment: 30,205

6. Drexel University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#110 in the United States

#129 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,342

7. California University of Pennsylvania

California

For Political Science

#128 in the United States

#150 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

#204 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $33,289

9. Villanova University

Villanova

For Political Science

#185 in the United States

#213 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,946

10. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#211 in the United States

#241 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $29,097

11. Duquesne University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#238 in the United States

#269 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $35,125

12. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore

For Political Science

#266 in the United States

#298 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $17,930

13. Bucknell University

Lewisburg

For Political Science

#297 in the United States

#332 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,486

14. Pennsylvania State University - College of Medicine

Hershey

For Political Science

#309 in the United States

#346 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: 1055
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 99%

16. Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr

For Political Science

#336 in the United States

#378 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $39,383

17. Widener University

Chester

For Political Science

#345 in the United States

#389 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1155
Net Price: $30,720
Receiving Aid: 100%

18. West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester

For Political Science

#369 in the United States

#414 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 88%

19. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#393 in the United States

#439 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $36,392

20. Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster

For Political Science

#404 in the United States

#450 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Average SAT: 1379
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $37,475

21. Gettysburg College

Gettysburg

For Political Science

#410 in the United States

#456 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average SAT: 1350
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $35,729

22. Haverford College

Haverford

For Political Science

#417 in the United States

#463 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,828

23. Lafayette College

Easton

For Political Science

#426 in the United States

#473 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $34,728

24. La Salle University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#451 in the United States

#498 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Net Price: $20,119
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $25,808

25. University of Scranton

Scranton

For Political Science

#465 in the United States

#513 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $32,100

26. Dickinson College

Carlisle

For Political Science

#485 in the United States

#535 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Net Price: $40,242
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $40,209

27. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg

For Political Science

#553 in the United States

#608 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1100
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $5,951

28. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg

For Political Science

#557 in the United States

#612 in North America

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

29. King's College - Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre

For Political Science

#567 in the United States

#623 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $25,608

30. Robert Morris University

Moon Township

For Political Science

#570 in the United States

#626 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Net Price: $26,215
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $24,908

31. Allegheny College

Meadville

For Political Science

#578 in the United States

#634 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $27,929

32. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Mansfield

For Political Science

#589 in the United States

#646 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

#595 in the United States

#653 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

#620 in the United States

#680 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1170
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $6,716

35. American College of Financial Services

Bryn Mawr

For Political Science

#627 in the United States

#687 in North America

Enrollment: 4,204
Male:Female: 69:31
Founded: 1927

36. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#631 in the United States

#692 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Net Price: $28,583
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $29,744

37. Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville

For Political Science

#639 in the United States

#702 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1120
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $6,205

38. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock

For Political Science

#670 in the United States

#734 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1085
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 94%

39. La Roche College

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#671 in the United States

#735 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1145
Net Price: $24,638
Receiving Aid: 100%

40. York College of Pennsylvania

York

For Political Science

#690 in the United States

#754 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $21,036

41. Muhlenberg College

Allentown

For Political Science

#704 in the United States

#768 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $31,814

42. Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre

For Political Science

#706 in the United States

#770 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1147
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $28,508

43. Geneva College

Beaver Falls

For Political Science

#717 in the United States

#783 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $22,145
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $20,748

44. Arcadia University

Glenside

For Political Science

#734 in the United States

#801 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1197
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $26,994

45. Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown

For Political Science

#774 in the United States

#843 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $27,019

46. Chatham University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#792 in the United States

#862 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $29,051

47. Thiel College

Greenville

For Political Science

#802 in the United States

#873 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Net Price: $22,490
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $28,605

48. Eastern University

Saint Davids

For Political Science

#815 in the United States

#886 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Net Price: $21,900
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $31,308

49. Gannon University

Erie

For Political Science

#818 in the United States

#889 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Net Price: $23,942
Receiving Aid: 83%
Average Aid: $27,483

50. Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove

For Political Science

#819 in the United States

#890 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1190
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $27,258

51. Ursinus College

Collegeville

For Political Science

#843 in the United States

#914 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $31,625

52. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg

For Political Science

#852 in the United States

#923 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1070
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

53. Westminster College

New Wilmington

For Political Science

#854 in the United States

#925 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Net Price: $21,089
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $30,615

54. Lincoln University

Lincoln University

For Political Science

#858 in the United States

#929 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 960
Average ACT: 20
Receiving Aid: 99%

55. Moravian College

Bethlehem

For Political Science

#871 in the United States

#942 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $30,720

56. Lock Haven University

Lock Haven

For Political Science

#877 in the United States

#948 in North America

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

57. Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown

For Political Science

#896 in the United States

#967 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 65%

58. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion

For Political Science

#898 in the United States

#969 in North America

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

59. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro

For Political Science

#909 in the United States

#980 in North America

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

60. Messiah College

Mechanicsburg

For Political Science

#911 in the United States

#982 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $29,882

61. Marywood University

Scranton

For Political Science

#912 in the United States

#983 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $24,712

62. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Harrisburg

For Political Science

#925 in the United States

#996 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Net Price: $14,882
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $18,747

63. Grove City College

Grove City

For Political Science

#929 in the United States

#1000 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1251
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $24,184

64. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#931 in the United States

#1003 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 3,027
Male:Female: 36:64

65. Saint Francis University

Loretto

For Political Science

#938 in the United States

#1010 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $27,421

66. Misericordia University

Dallas

For Political Science

#954 in the United States

#1026 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Net Price: $25,090
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $25,624

67. Juniata College

Huntingdon

For Political Science

#980 in the United States

#1052 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $28,925

68. Lebanon Valley College

Annville

For Political Science

#1000 in the United States

#1073 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1197
Net Price: $28,640
Receiving Aid: 100%

69. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Scranton

For Political Science

#1008 in the United States

#1083 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 649
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 2008

70. Biblical Theological Seminary

Hatfield

For Political Science

#1013 in the United States

#1088 in North America

Enrollment: 49
Male:Female: 65:35

71. Saint Vincent College

Latrobe

For Political Science

#1016 in the United States

#1091 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1112
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $23,857

72. Lycoming College

Williamsport

For Political Science

#1025 in the United States

#1100 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1172
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $20,733

73. Mercyhurst University

Erie

For Political Science

#1038 in the United States

#1113 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Net Price: $26,962
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $31,437

74. Washington & Jefferson College

Washington

For Political Science

#1046 in the United States

#1121 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Net Price: $26,051
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $38,971

75. DeSales University

Center Valley

For Political Science

#1057 in the United States

#1132 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1190
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $30,524

76. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Erie

For Political Science

#1065 in the United States

#1140 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,117
Male:Female: 43:57

77. Wilson College

Chambersburg

For Political Science

#1081 in the United States

#1157 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1025
Net Price: $21,567
Receiving Aid: 99%

78. Immaculata University

Immaculata

For Political Science

#1086 in the United States

#1162 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $29,499

79. Albright College

Reading

For Political Science

#1087 in the United States

#1163 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Net Price: $22,116
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $22,201

80. University of the Arts in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1112 in the United States

#1188 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

#1144 in the United States

#1221 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1114
Net Price: $26,733
Receiving Aid: 100%

82. Moore College of Art and Design

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1145 in the United States

#1222 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1322
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $44,371

83. Neumann University

Aston

For Political Science

#1177 in the United States

#1254 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Net Price: $29,298
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $27,372

84. Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Brandywine

Media

For Political Science

#1197 in the United States

#1274 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 84%

85. Alvernia University

Reading

For Political Science

#1214 in the United States

#1291 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1160
Net Price: $26,166
Receiving Aid: 100%

86. Holy Family University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1219 in the United States

#1296 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1040
Net Price: $13,016
Receiving Aid: 100%

87. Carlow University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1229 in the United States

#1307 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Net Price: $20,561
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $26,233

88. Point Park University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1240 in the United States

#1318 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Average SAT: 1138
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $25,477

89. University of Valley Forge

Phoenixville

For Political Science

#1246 in the United States

#1324 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Net Price: $27,854
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $15,317

90. Cabrini University

Radnor

For Political Science

#1250 in the United States

#1328 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1163
Net Price: $24,733
Receiving Aid: 100%

91. Cedar Crest College

Allentown

For Political Science

#1258 in the United States

#1336 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 99%
Average SAT: 1115
Net Price: $23,036
Receiving Aid: 99%

92. Salus University

Elkins Park

For Political Science

#1259 in the United States

#1337 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 1,148
Male:Female: 20:80
Founded: 1919

93. Rosemont College

Rosemont

For Political Science

#1301 in the United States

#1380 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Net Price: $19,297
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $17,563

94. Seton Hill University

Greensburg

For Political Science

#1305 in the United States

#1384 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $23,732

95. Gratz College

Melrose Park

For Political Science

#1326 in the United States

#1405 in North America

Enrollment: 482
Male:Female: 15:85
Founded: 1895

96. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1368 in the United States

#1449 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 223
Male:Female: 49:51

97. Mount Aloysius College

Cresson

For Political Science

#1388 in the United States

#1470 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1003
Average ACT: 20
Net Price: $20,570

98. Delaware Valley University

Doylestown

For Political Science

#1395 in the United States

#1478 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $28,401

99. Keystone College

La Plume

For Political Science

#1449 in the United States

#1534 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1020
Net Price: $21,461
Receiving Aid: 100%

100. Waynesburg University

Waynesburg

For Political Science

#1488 in the United States

#1575 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 21
Net Price: $22,837

Closest to Pennsylvania states to learn Political Science

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Maryland	28	14
District of Columbia	12	41
New Jersey	28	21
Delaware	4	86
New York	140	5
West Virginia	17	122
Connecticut	21	7
Virginia	42	32
Ohio	63	19
Massachusetts	71	1
Rhode Island	9	66
Vermont	11	127
New Hampshire	12	75
North Carolina	47	20
Indiana	35	39
Kentucky	27	63
Michigan	43	2
South Carolina	31	61
Maine	14	229
Tennessee	37	47
Illinois	78	9
Georgia	50	45
Wisconsin	34	16
Alabama	26	97
Iowa	31	48
Missouri	40	43
Mississippi	14	181
Minnesota	29	18
Arkansas	16	131
Florida	64	34
Louisiana	26	84
Kansas	17	68
South Dakota	9	338
Nebraska	13	82
Oklahoma	20	92
North Dakota	8	230
Texas	82	22
Colorado	21	57
New Mexico	8	104
Montana	8	203
Puerto Rico	13	528
Utah	11	50
Idaho	7	242
Arizona	10	24
Nevada	6	134
Washington	32	6
Oregon	19	105
California	133	3
Alaska	4	331
Hawaii	7	111