Choosing the right school is almost as important as finding your area of study. But it’s not as simple as just applying to the top-rated school. Universities offer specialized programs tailored to students’ unique needs. Even in the same field of study, no two programs are the same. The field of political science has steadily grown over the years, and many students are wondering which schools they should choose to pursue their interests. To help students find their best-fit schools, here is InGenius Prep’s list of top universities for political science majors.
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Our Picks for the Best Political Science Universities
1. Stanford University
Location: Stanford, California
Acceptance Rate: 3.68%
InGenius Prep Student Acceptance Rate: 4.62%
Stanford offers students unparalleled opportunities in political science. Dedicated to the teaching and understanding of politics, Stanford’s Department of Political Science engages students with both quantitative and qualitative methods. The School of Humanities and Science covers topics ranging from public policy to governance systems and institutional design. Students at Stanford have substantial research opportunities, with multiple journals published each year on various political subject matters. Stanford’s DPS emphasizes analytical thinking and research methods to prepare students for a wide range of career pathways.
2. Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
InGenius Prep Student Acceptance Rate: 14.5%
Harvard’s Department of Government is world-renowned in the realm of political science for its focus on research and intellectual curiosity. Headed by award-winning faculty, students can learn and research a multitude of topics, including comparative politics, international relations, quantitative methodology, and more. As one of the world leaders in political science, Harvard’s programs span a broad number of sub-topics and incorporate aspects of other disciplines like history, law, and economics.
3. Princeton University
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Acceptance Rate: 4%
InGenius Prep Student Acceptance Rate: 7.14%
Princeton currently holds the title of the #1 top-ranked school in the U.S., and its political science program is equally well-regarded. One of the top in the world, Princeton’s Department of Politics routinely makes headlines, especially for its faculty and alumni. Standouts include Frances Lee, who recently received the Richard F. Fenno, Jr. Award for political inquiry, and Daniel A. Rosenberg Daneri, whose work in labor research earned the APSA Dorothy Day Award. With an emphasis on community and a vibrant curriculum, Princeton’s Department of Politics is a good choice for students striving to become industry leaders.
4. University of California—Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, California
Acceptance Rate: 11.4%
InGenius Prep Student Acceptance Rate: 15%
One of the top-ranked public universities in the U.S., the University of California—Berkeley’s Travers Department of Political Science is regarded as one of the finest in the nation. This past season alone, the department’s alumni Shterna Friedman and PhD Alum Rochelle Terman received the Inaugural Melvin Richter Prize and the 2024 APSA-IPSA Theodore J. Lowi First Book Award, respectively. Courses at Berkeley include studies on comparative politics, bureaucracy, and historical politics, among many others. With job placement opportunities and student associations, Berkeley offers political science graduates ample opportunity to excel in the field.
5. Yale University
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Acceptance Rate: 4.35%
InGenius Prep Student Acceptance Rate: 10%
Another among the Ivy League universities, Yale is one of the most highly-regarded schools in the U.S. Its historical strength in research and teaching turns aspiring students into capable leaders across numerous fields. Yale’s Department of Political Science is composed of 45+ award-winning faculty who serve roles in other related programs—including “Social and Policy Studies,” “Directed Studies,” and “Ethics, Politics, and Economics.” Yale’s multidisciplinary approach and student support in the job market make it a strong option for those looking to excel in a variety of fields or learn versatile skills in one concentration.
6. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Acceptance Rate: 18%
InGenius Prep Student Acceptance Rate: 24%
The Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor focuses on skill and community as its curriculum themes. Former Chair Nancy Burns stated that U-Michigan’s Department of Political Science helps students “build an astonishing and versatile and long-lasting skillset.” Upcoming events include “Political Theory Workshop,” “GSP – Global Citizenship in Practice,” and “Practice Job Talk Series.” Political science students have the support to grow in their field and become leaders poised to change the world.
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 3.96%
InGenius Prep Student Acceptance Rate: 21.2%
A forerunner among U.S. universities in research and STEM, MIT’s “elite but not elitist” approach to education serves to better the world through community and innovation. Political Science at MIT gives students hands-on experience and practical skills to apply to their academic and professional goals. Subjects at MIT include majors in political science, minors in international studies, and concentrations in subfields like “social theory,” “political economy,” and “modals and methods.” Internships, fellowships, and global experiences are available for students who wish to grow during their degree work.
8. University of Oxford
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Acceptance Rate: 17%
One of the top universities outside the U.S., Oxford has a broad, versatile curriculum in its Department of Politics & International Relations. Oxford is ranked #1 in the UK for political science studies by The Guardian and Times Higher Education, and its political science coursework focuses on understanding both historical and future political landscapes. DPIR strives to have its students pursue their passions while enabling them with some of the highest quality social science subjects in the world. Oxford is a strong choice for those outside of the U.S. or for students who wish to study abroad.
Strategies for School Selection
While each school on our list is competitive and offers commonalities like job opportunities and student support, each institution has a unique culture and its own values. Students need to research schools carefully and only select those that align with their goals.
There’s no shortage of competitive political science programs, so create a broad yet balanced list of schools you believe would make a good personality fit. Ultimately, the best schools are those that give you all the tools you need to thrive in your interests.
For more on school selection, book a free consultation call with an academic advisor today!