100 Best Political Science schools in Pennsylvania

Updated: February 29, 2024

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 8.12M citations received by 316K 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

#10 in the United States

#11 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

2. Pennsylvania State University

University Park

For Political Science

#13 in the United States

#14 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#28 in the United States

#30 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

4. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#29 in the United States

#31 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

5. Temple University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#71 in the United States

#84 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,575
Enrollment: 33,196

6. California University of Pennsylvania

California

For Political Science

#99 in the United States

#117 in North America

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

7. Drexel University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#115 in the United States

#134 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $39,267

8. Lehigh University

Bethlehem

For Political Science

#175 in the United States

#201 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $30,453

9. Villanova University

Villanova

For Political Science

#185 in the United States

#213 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1439
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $34,837

10. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#207 in the United States

#237 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $28,110

11. Duquesne University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#236 in the United States

#267 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $33,919

12. Pennsylvania State University - College of Medicine

Hershey

For Political Science

#284 in the United States

#318 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

13. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore

For Political Science

#294 in the United States

#329 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,715

14. Bucknell University

Lewisburg

For Political Science

#304 in the United States

#340 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $39,965

15. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana

For Political Science

#323 in the United States

#361 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1045
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 100%

16. Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr

For Political Science

#335 in the United States

#375 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1388
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,072

17. Widener University

Chester

For Political Science

#351 in the United States

#392 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1198
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $32,185

18. West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester

For Political Science

#375 in the United States

#420 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 86%

19. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#377 in the United States

#422 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $33,777

20. Gettysburg College

Gettysburg

For Political Science

#403 in the United States

#449 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $33,882

21. La Salle University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#409 in the United States

#455 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1159
Net Price: $17,552
Receiving Aid: 100%

22. Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster

For Political Science

#421 in the United States

#468 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $31,135

23. Lafayette College

Easton

For Political Science

#434 in the United States

#481 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $37,186

24. Haverford College

Haverford

For Political Science

#457 in the United States

#504 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,476

25. University of Scranton

Scranton

For Political Science

#488 in the United States

#536 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $35,526

26. Dickinson College

Carlisle

For Political Science

#511 in the United States

#561 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Net Price: $37,610
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $39,554

27. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg

For Political Science

#524 in the United States

#575 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1095
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $7,593

28. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Mansfield

For Political Science

#538 in the United States

#589 in North America

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

29. King's College - Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre

For Political Science

#540 in the United States

#591 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $25,869

30. Allegheny College

Meadville

For Political Science

#548 in the United States

#599 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1243
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $26,719

31. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg

For Political Science

#551 in the United States

#605 in North America

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

32. Robert Morris University

Moon Township

For Political Science

#552 in the United States

#606 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Net Price: $23,572
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $24,512

33. American College of Financial Services

Bryn Mawr

For Political Science

#575 in the United States

#630 in North America

Founded: 1927

34. La Roche College

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#578 in the United States

#633 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Average SAT: 1070
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $24,233

35. York College of Pennsylvania

York

For Political Science

#597 in the United States

#653 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $20,916

36. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown

For Political Science

#614 in the United States

#674 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1150
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $7,563

37. Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville

For Political Science

#622 in the United States

#682 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1155
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $5,902

38. University of the Sciences

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#626 in the United States

#686 in North America

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

39. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#640 in the United States

#702 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Net Price: $25,357
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $29,288

40. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock

For Political Science

#663 in the United States

#726 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1060
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 98%

41. Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre

For Political Science

#690 in the United States

#754 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $27,918

42. Arcadia University

Glenside

For Political Science

#720 in the United States

#786 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1204
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $29,692

43. Muhlenberg College

Allentown

For Political Science

#732 in the United States

#798 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $32,926

44. Thiel College

Greenville

For Political Science

#739 in the United States

#805 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Net Price: $22,732
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $27,563

45. Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown

For Political Science

#776 in the United States

#845 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $26,723

46. Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove

For Political Science

#789 in the United States

#858 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1184
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $28,605

47. Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown

For Political Science

#800 in the United States

#870 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1205
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 72%

48. Chatham University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#805 in the United States

#875 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $28,322

49. Eastern University

Saint Davids

For Political Science

#809 in the United States

#879 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Net Price: $26,669
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $25,542

50. Westminster College

New Wilmington

For Political Science

#812 in the United States

#882 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Net Price: $22,645
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $30,252

51. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg

For Political Science

#832 in the United States

#902 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1050
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 95%

52. Geneva College

Beaver Falls

For Political Science

#837 in the United States

#907 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Net Price: $20,999
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $20,305

53. Gannon University

Erie

For Political Science

#842 in the United States

#912 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $22,200
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $26,172

54. Moravian College

Bethlehem

For Political Science

#845 in the United States

#915 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1157
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $31,168

55. Ursinus College

Collegeville

For Political Science

#846 in the United States

#916 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $33,546

56. Lock Haven University

Lock Haven

For Political Science

#851 in the United States

#921 in North America

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

57. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion

For Political Science

#859 in the United States

#929 in North America

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

58. Marywood University

Scranton

For Political Science

#895 in the United States

#966 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $22,504

59. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#898 in the United States

#969 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 3,036
Male:Female: 37:63

60. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro

For Political Science

#903 in the United States

#974 in North America

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

61. Lincoln University

Lincoln University

For Political Science

#906 in the United States

#977 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 940
Average ACT: 18
Receiving Aid: 99%

62. Saint Francis University

Loretto

For Political Science

#915 in the United States

#986 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $27,459

63. Misericordia University

Dallas

For Political Science

#932 in the United States

#1004 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Net Price: $27,033
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $23,008

64. Messiah College

Mechanicsburg

For Political Science

#956 in the United States

#1028 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $24,120

65. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Harrisburg

For Political Science

#966 in the United States

#1038 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Net Price: $10,022
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $23,589

66. Saint Vincent College

Latrobe

For Political Science

#973 in the United States

#1045 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $23,121

67. Juniata College

Huntingdon

For Political Science

#979 in the United States

#1051 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $29,926

68. Lebanon Valley College

Annville

For Political Science

#982 in the United States

#1054 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $26,743

69. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Scranton

For Political Science

#985 in the United States

#1057 in North America

Enrollment: 708
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 2008

70. Lycoming College

Williamsport

For Political Science

#996 in the United States

#1068 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1146
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $19,697

71. Washington & Jefferson College

Washington

For Political Science

#1005 in the United States

#1078 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $25,636

72. Mercyhurst University

Erie

For Political Science

#1017 in the United States

#1090 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $24,935
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $32,418

73. Grove City College

Grove City

For Political Science

#1018 in the United States

#1091 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $23,538

74. DeSales University

Center Valley

For Political Science

#1019 in the United States

#1092 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1190
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $29,104

75. Wilson College

Chambersburg

For Political Science

#1028 in the United States

#1101 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1045
Net Price: $23,923
Receiving Aid: 99%

76. Moore College of Art and Design

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1040 in the United States

#1113 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1200
Net Price: $38,204
Receiving Aid: 100%

77. Albright College

Reading

For Political Science

#1070 in the United States

#1143 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Net Price: $21,496
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $21,420

78. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley

For Political Science

#1095 in the United States

#1169 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1125
Net Price: $28,122
Receiving Aid: 100%

79. Biblical Theological Seminary

Hatfield

For Political Science

#1102 in the United States

#1176 in North America

Enrollment: 160
Male:Female: 50:50

80. Cedar Crest College

Allentown

For Political Science

#1105 in the United States

#1180 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1105
Net Price: $23,500
Receiving Aid: 100%

81. Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Brandywine

Media

For Political Science

#1110 in the United States

#1185 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1178
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

82. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Erie

For Political Science

#1146 in the United States

#1221 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,307
Male:Female: 43:57

83. Neumann University

Aston

For Political Science

#1166 in the United States

#1241 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Net Price: $28,707
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $25,623

84. Immaculata University

Immaculata

For Political Science

#1174 in the United States

#1249 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1175
Net Price: $29,188
Receiving Aid: 100%

85. Carlow University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1181 in the United States

#1256 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 975
Net Price: $17,437
Receiving Aid: 99%

86. Salus University

Elkins Park

For Political Science

#1208 in the United States

#1283 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 1,165
Male:Female: 20:80
Founded: 1919

87. University of Valley Forge

Phoenixville

For Political Science

#1212 in the United States

#1287 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Net Price: $25,825
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $15,715

88. Alvernia University

Reading

For Political Science

#1215 in the United States

#1290 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1083
Net Price: $27,091
Receiving Aid: 100%

89. Cabrini University

Radnor

For Political Science

#1233 in the United States

#1309 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1115
Net Price: $21,981
Receiving Aid: 100%

90. Holy Family University

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1240 in the United States

#1316 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 972
Net Price: $12,379
Receiving Aid: 100%

91. Point Park University

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1261 in the United States

#1338 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1138
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $24,702

92. Seton Hill University

Greensburg

For Political Science

#1290 in the United States

#1369 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $24,576

93. Rosemont College

Rosemont

For Political Science

#1291 in the United States

#1370 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Net Price: $19,741
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $15,072

94. University of the Arts in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

For Political Science

#1336 in the United States

#1416 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Net Price: $42,467
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $25,460

95. Mount Aloysius College

Cresson

For Political Science

#1348 in the United States

#1429 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1025
Net Price: $20,564
Receiving Aid: 100%

96. Delaware Valley University

Doylestown

For Political Science

#1376 in the United States

#1458 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1104
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $29,256

97. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#1405 in the United States

#1487 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 223
Male:Female: 54:46

98. Waynesburg University

Waynesburg

For Political Science

#1459 in the United States

#1544 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1080
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $22,281

99. Keystone College

La Plume

For Political Science

#1471 in the United States

#1556 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1023
Net Price: $15,559
Receiving Aid: 100%

100. Gratz College

Melrose Park

For Political Science

#1513 in the United States

#1600 in North America

Enrollment: 377
Male:Female: 14:86
Founded: 1895

Closest to Pennsylvania states to learn Political Science

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Maryland	27	15
District of Columbia	11	42
New Jersey	28	23
Delaware	3	86
New York	136	5
West Virginia	17	124
Connecticut	21	8
Virginia	42	30
Ohio	62	19
Massachusetts	71	1
Rhode Island	9	74
Vermont	11	130
New Hampshire	12	78
North Carolina	47	21
Indiana	35	52
Kentucky	26	60
Michigan	42	2
South Carolina	28	59
Maine	14	222
Tennessee	35	46
Illinois	76	7
Georgia	48	44
Wisconsin	34	16
Alabama	25	97
Iowa	32	45
Missouri	39	43
Mississippi	13	183
Minnesota	28	18
Arkansas	17	136
Florida	61	34
Louisiana	26	82
Kansas	17	69
South Dakota	9	334
Nebraska	13	87
Oklahoma	20	93
North Dakota	7	215
Texas	79	20
Colorado	21	62
New Mexico	7	98
Montana	8	197
Puerto Rico	13	544
Utah	11	47
Idaho	7	240
Arizona	9	25
Nevada	6	132
Washington	30	6
Oregon	18	102
California	130	3
Alaska	4	322
Hawaii	6	110