Best Political Science Schools in the US 2024

Political science is one of the most popular majors in American schools and universities, but it involves much more than just debating in a circle.

Many colleges’ curricula include field experience, and students majoring in political science can apply for internships with nonprofit, government, and state organizations.

American political science departments often offer three to five concentrations for undergraduate students to choose from. These include disciplines like public administration, international affairs, and American politics.

More institutions have recently included data science specialties in their curricula, encouraging students to build solid backgrounds in creating models and analyzing social behavior trends. See Best Philosophy Schools in the US.

The importance of research in the classroom is emphasized, and many political science students will work with a faculty mentor on an independent research project.

Government, industry, academia, and non-profit sectors are just a few of the diverse professions where political science degrees are employed.

The top 10 political science colleges in the US, representing all regions of the nation,

are listed below.

• Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
• Yale University (New Haven, CT)
• Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
• Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
• Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
• Duke University (Durham, NC)
• University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
• Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)

With more than 450 students enrolled in concentrations like public policy and tech science, Harvard University has the largest undergraduate political science population on this list.

In the former area, political science majors analyze how technology ameliorates or exacerbates social conflicts. See Harvard University Transfer Acceptance Rate.

Participants gain proficiency in identifying problems, evaluating risks, and developing prototypes to address issues. Enrolling in GOV 92R will allow students to conduct independent study.

Every student majoring in political science has the opportunity to research and write on a subject of their choice, such as the politics of constructing substantial infrastructure projects, the effects of wealth concentration in China, or how social and cultural factors combined to spark a wave of Republican radicalization.

Political science majors have many summer opportunities both inside and outside of Cambridge.

Yale University (New Haven, CT)

More than 400 undergraduates pursue a political science degree at Yale, making it the school’s second-largest major.

One aspect that sets Yale’s political science department apart from others is that it allows undergraduates to declare their major at any time in their four years of study.

Students can complete a standard, intensive (accelerated), or interdisciplinary major in one of five concentrations. See Yale University Acceptance Rate.

All political science majors will complete a senior essay over one or two semesters and are eligible for awards like the American Political System Frank M. Patterson Prize, which grants an award to an essay writer whose work upholds the pillars of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Winning essays have covered various topics, from migration-based warfare in Europe and the role of dissent in U.S. law to how dark corporate money can weaken democracy.

Moreover, students can attend enlightening lectures offered through the American & Comparative Political Behavior Workshop, where speakers share insights on topics like antisemitic attitudes toward young Americans and the ideology of political divides.

Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

You’ll surely recognize some of Princeton’s political science alumni. Former U.S. Attorney and FBI Director Robert Mueller graduated from Princeton, as did Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell.

The political science department is one of the largest within the university, housing approximately 150 undergraduates and 140 graduate students. See Princeton University Transfer Acceptance Rate.

Despite its size, classes remain intimate. Undergraduates complete their junior papers and senior theses under the guidance of one (or more) faculty members.

Courses like Mass Media, Social Media, and American Politics compel students to analyze the role of the media in electoral campaigns and shaping the behavior of elected politicians, while in Causes of War, undergraduates investigate the reasons states enter war and propose ways to avoid it.

Various centers and institutions give students the opportunity to examine political problems in depth, hone their technical writing skills, and engage in Socratic dialogue.

For example, the Mamdouha S. Bobst Center for Peace and Justice is a think tank whose goal is to promote peace and respect for cultural differences across national borders.

Political science majors can attend panels, conferences, and workshops focused on nationalism, identity politics, and other topics related to international conflicts.

Last Updated on September 30, 2023 by Admin