100 Best Political Science schools in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Political Science. A graph of 131M citations received by 5.34M academic papers made by 1,596 universities in the United States 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. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Political Science

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Political Science

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

3. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Political Science

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

4. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Political Science

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

5. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Political Science

#6 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

6. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Political Science

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

7. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Political Science

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

8. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Political Science

#9 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

9. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Political Science

#10 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

10. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Political Science

#11 in North America

#13 in the World

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

11. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Political Science

#12 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

12. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Political Science

#13 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

13. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Political Science

#14 in North America

#17 in the World

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

14. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Political Science

#15 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

15. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Political Science

#16 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

16. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Political Science

#17 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

17. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Political Science

#19 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

18. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Political Science

#20 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

19. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Political Science

#21 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

20. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Political Science

#22 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

21. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Political Science

#23 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

22. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Political Science

#24 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

23. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Political Science

#25 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

24. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Political Science

#26 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

25. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Political Science

#27 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

26. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Political Science

#28 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

27. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Political Science

#29 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

28. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#30 in North America

#40 in the World

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

29. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#31 in North America

#43 in the World

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

30. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Political Science

#32 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

31. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Political Science

#33 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

32. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Political Science

#34 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

33. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Political Science

#35 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

34. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Political Science

#36 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

35. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Political Science

#39 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,140
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

36. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Political Science

#40 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

37. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Political Science

#41 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

38. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Political Science

#43 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

39. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Political Science

#45 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

40. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Political Science

#47 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

41. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Political Science

#48 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

42. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Political Science

#49 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,566

43. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Political Science

#50 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

44. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Political Science

#51 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $26,680

45. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Political Science

#52 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

46. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Political Science

#53 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

47. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Political Science

#54 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

48. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Political Science

#55 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $42,723

49. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Political Science

#57 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,775

50. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Political Science

#59 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 73%

51. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Political Science

#61 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

52. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Political Science

#62 in North America

#96 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

53. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Political Science

#63 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $20,389
Enrollment: 26,420

54. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Political Science

#64 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

55. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Political Science

#65 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

56. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Political Science

#67 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

57. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Political Science

#68 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,474

58. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Political Science

#69 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

59. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Political Science

#70 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

60. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Political Science

#71 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

61. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Political Science

#72 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

62. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Political Science

#73 in North America

#127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

63. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Political Science

#74 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

64. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Political Science

#75 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

65. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Political Science

#76 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

66. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Political Science

#77 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

67. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Political Science

#79 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

68. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Political Science

#80 in North America

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,279

69. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Political Science

#81 in North America

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

70. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Political Science

#83 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1488
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,559

71. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Political Science

#84 in North America

#149 in the World

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

72. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Political Science

#85 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

73. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Political Science

#86 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

74. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Political Science

#87 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,723

75. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Political Science

#89 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,970

76. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Political Science

#90 in North America

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

77. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Political Science

#91 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,651

78. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Political Science

#92 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,208

79. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Political Science

#93 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

80. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Political Science

#94 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

81. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Political Science

#95 in North America

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

82. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Political Science

#96 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

83. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Political Science

#97 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

84. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Political Science

#98 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,479

85. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Political Science

#99 in North America

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

86. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Political Science

#100 in North America

#204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

87. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Political Science

#101 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 95%

88. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Political Science

#103 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

89. American University in Washington

District of Columbia | Washington

For Political Science

#104 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $41,369

90. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Political Science

#106 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $20,755
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $59,192

91. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Political Science

#107 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

92. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Political Science

#108 in North America

#236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 84%

93. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Political Science

#109 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

94. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Political Science

#110 in North America

#242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

95. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Political Science

#111 in North America

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

96. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Political Science

#113 in North America

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

97. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Political Science

#114 in North America

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

98. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Political Science

#115 in North America

#260 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,280

99. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Political Science

#117 in North America

#267 in the World

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

100. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Political Science

#118 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

The best cities to study Political Science in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Ann Arbor, Stanford, and Berkeley.