100 Best Political Science schools in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

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 199M citations received by 6.25M academic papers made by 1,635 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: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Political Science

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

3. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Political Science

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

4. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Political Science

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

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: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

6. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Political Science

#7 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

7. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Political Science

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

8. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Political Science

#9 in North America

#11 in the World

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

9. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Political Science

#10 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

10. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Political Science

#11 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

11. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Political Science

#12 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

12. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Political Science

#13 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

13. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Political Science

#14 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

14. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Political Science

#15 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

15. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Political Science

#16 in North America

#19 in the World

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

16. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Political Science

#18 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

17. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Political Science

#19 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

18. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Political Science

#20 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

19. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Political Science

#21 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

20. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Political Science

#22 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

21. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Political Science

#23 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

22. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Political Science

#24 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

23. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Political Science

#25 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

24. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Political Science

#26 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

25. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Political Science

#27 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

26. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Political Science

#28 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

27. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Political Science

#29 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

28. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Political Science

#30 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

29. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Political Science

#31 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

30. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#32 in North America

#44 in the World

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

31. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Political Science

#33 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

32. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Political Science

#34 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

33. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Political Science

#35 in North America

#50 in the World

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

34. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Political Science

#36 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

35. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Political Science

#40 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

36. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Political Science

#41 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

37. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Political Science

#42 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

38. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Political Science

#44 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

39. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Political Science

#45 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

40. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Political Science

#46 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

41. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Political Science

#47 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,083

42. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Political Science

#49 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

43. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Political Science

#50 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

44. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Political Science

#51 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

45. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Political Science

#52 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

46. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Political Science

#54 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

47. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Political Science

#55 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

48. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Political Science

#56 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

49. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Political Science

#57 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

50. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Political Science

#59 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

51. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Political Science

#61 in North America

#100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

52. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Political Science

#62 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

53. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Political Science

#63 in North America

#105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

54. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Political Science

#64 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

55. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Political Science

#65 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

56. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Political Science

#66 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

57. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Political Science

#67 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

58. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Political Science

#68 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

59. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Political Science

#70 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

60. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Political Science

#71 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

61. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Political Science

#72 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

62. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Political Science

#73 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

63. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Political Science

#75 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

64. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Political Science

#77 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

65. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Political Science

#78 in North America

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

66. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Political Science

#79 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

67. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Political Science

#80 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

68. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Political Science

#81 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

69. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Political Science

#82 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

70. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Political Science

#83 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

71. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Political Science

#84 in North America

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,519

72. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Political Science

#85 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1060
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

73. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Political Science

#86 in North America

#166 in the World

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

74. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Political Science

#87 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

75. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Political Science

#88 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

76. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Political Science

#91 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

77. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Political Science

#92 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

78. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Political Science

#93 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

79. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Political Science

#94 in North America

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

80. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Political Science

#95 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,367

81. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Political Science

#96 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1100
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

82. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Political Science

#97 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

83. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Political Science

#98 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

84. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Political Science

#100 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

85. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Political Science

#101 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

86. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Political Science

#102 in North America

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

87. American University in Washington

District of Columbia | Washington

For Political Science

#104 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,676

88. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Political Science

#105 in North America

#231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

89. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Political Science

#106 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

90. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Political Science

#107 in North America

#247 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

91. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Political Science

#108 in North America

#250 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

92. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Political Science

#109 in North America

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

93. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Political Science

#110 in North America

#269 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

94. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Political Science

#111 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

95. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Political Science

#112 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $11,210
Enrollment: 17,560

96. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Political Science

#113 in North America

#278 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 92%

97. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Political Science

#116 in North America

#283 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 88%

98. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Political Science

#117 in North America

#288 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

99. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Political Science

#118 in North America

#297 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 95%

100. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Political Science

#119 in North America

#298 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

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.