- Political science is the study of the intricacies and applications of politics and governance.
- Political science majors focus on laws, regulations, governments, policies and diplomacy at domestic and global levels.
- Students with a degree in political science go on to pursue careers in politics, international affairs, domestic and foreign policy, and media.
What is Political Science?
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Political science is the study of the intricacies and applications of politics and governance at all levels from local and state to national and international levels. Political science students study domestic and global laws, regulations, governments, policies, diplomacy, and history.
Although there are variations in the curriculum among colleges, all political science programs include the four fundamental sub-fields:
- Political theory
- American politics
- International relationship
- Comparative politics.
Students graduate with a deeper understanding of political ideas, government, policies, processes, diplomacy, ideologies, law, and strategy.
A degree in this major can open doors to a wide range of career paths in the fields of politics, international affairs, domestic and foreign policy, public service, and media.
If you’re interested in political science, consider applying to the universities listed below. Not only do all of these institutions offer some of the most impressive political science classes and teaching professors, but they are also the alma maters to some of the most well-known American politicians.
Top 10 Colleges To Earn A Bachelor’s Degree In Political Science
1. YALE UNIVERSITY
- Location: New Haven, CT
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- SAT Score: 1,490 – 1,570
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,645
Yale University tops the list of best colleges for political science with one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios of 6:1. This Ivy League School counts five US Presidents including William Howard Taft, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush among its long list of well-known alumni.
Students in the Yale political science program learn about American politics, ancient and modern political theory, and international relations from professors who have first-hand experience as politicians both on the national and international stage.
2. HARVARD UNIVERSITY
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Acceptance Rate: 3%
- SAT Score: 1,500 – 1,590
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,368
Considered one of the most prestigious schools in America, Harvard also has the lowest acceptance rate of 3% and a student-faculty ration of 7-1. With three United States’ Presidents – Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama – among its illustrious alumni, you know you’ll get a solid foundation in political science at Harvard.
The Harvard Political Science curriculum goes in-depth into the American political system and covers topics that range from congress & constituency, political culture, and federal bureaucracy to campaigns & elections, foreign policy, and civil rights.
3. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
- Location: New York, NY
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- SAT Score: 1,500 – 1,570
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,902
Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Barack Obama are the most well-known of the long list of famous politicians who count Columbia University as their alma mater. Many of the professors have also had illustrious political careers before giving it up to become academicians. Students get to choose 2 of the 4 fields of concentration offered—political theory, American politics, international relationship, and comparative politics.
4. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- Location: Hanover, NH
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- SAT Score: 1,490- 1,570
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,458
Political Science and Government is one of the top majors offered at Dartmouth College. Ranked 16th in the country and the smallest of the Ivy League schools, Dartmouth has a relatively low student-faculty ratio of 7-1, with many professors offering students one-on-one mentoring.
Dartmouth’s political science curriculum is designed around 4 areas of this field – comparative politics, political theory, American politics/policy, and international relations. The program aims to helps students understand political institutions and process at local, state, national, and international levels.
5. GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- Location: Washington, DC
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- SAT Score: 1,420 – 1,560
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,900
Imagine studying political science on a campus located right in Washington, DC! You’d get a front-row seat to American politics. It’s not surprising that Political Science and Government is one of the most popular majors among students at Georgetown University, along with International Relations and Affairs.
The political science program at this school focuses on addressing current events and persistent issues in American politics and beyond. It covers topics such as internal policies of countries around the world and international relations.
6. UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
- Location: Notre Dame, IN
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- SAT Score: 1,450 – 1,550
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,971
University of Notre Dame offers a full range of courses in diverse political science fields including political theory, American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. The program is flexible enough that students can tailor their choice of courses to their interests.
Although the Department of Political Science at this school does not offer a minor in the field, students can choose an interdisciplinary minor such as Constitutional Studies or the Hesburgh Program in Public Service among others. Political science students at the University of Notre Dame get plenty of opportunities to take their learning outside the classroom through study abroad, internships, and participation at military academy conferences.
7. UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
- Location: Annapolis, MD
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- SAT Score: 1,210 – 1,440
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,450
The United States Naval Academy outstanding military institution and the second oldest of the five service academies. The school offers a BA in Political Science. Students enrolled in this program study under professors at the top of their field in government-based disciplines. The extensive curriculum ensures that all students graduate with a solid understanding of their national and international environment.
Jimmy Carter is just one of the school’s many notable alumni, which includes over 46 Rhodes Scholars, 50 astronauts, and 24 Marshall Scholars. The application fee is $0 but you must apply early – preferably by April of your junior year. And your application must be accompanied by a nomination from a senator, member of Congress, the Vice President, or the President of the United States.
8. BOSTON COLLEGE
- Location: Chestnut Hill, MA
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- SAT Score: 1,450 – 1,540
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,982
Boston College is considered a highly selective school with a 17% acceptance rate. The Political Major undergrad program at Boston College is designed to promote the science of politics through teaching, research, and publishing, while addressing students’ broader needs and their civic aspirations.
To earn their degree, students must complete ten political science courses with at least one course in each of the four political science subfields – American politics, international politics, political theory, and comparative politics. The comprehensive, well-rounded curriculum provides students with a foundation for careers in politics, law, public administration, and journalism.
9. GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Location: Washington, DC
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- SAT Score: 1,360 – 1,500
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,482
The faculty at the Department of Political Science at George Washington University is made up of nationally published experts and mentors from across diverse fields. The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science curriculum is structured around six core areas that covers a comprehensive range of national and international political governance and behavior.
With its campus located in Washington, DC, political science students at George Washington University get the unique opportunity to witness politics and policy in action. Students also get plenty of opportunities to observe Supreme Court arguments, intern on Capitol Hill, or interact with some of the most renowned journalists in the nation.
10. WILLIAM & MARY
- Location: Williamsburg, VA
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- SAT Score: 1,390 – 1, 520
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,797
William & Mary offers mostly small or mid-sized government courses with a strong emphasis on research, writing, and interaction. The program covers all four sub-fields of political science – comparative politics, political theory, American politics, and international politics. Graduates of this program go on to pursue diverse careers in various fields including government, non-profit sectors, teaching, business, and even medicine.
Political sciences students at William & Mary get the opportunity to attend GOVT 150 Freshman Seminars that examine a specific topic. The aim is to help students get a better understanding of political science. Each seminar is capped at fifteen students to ensure that every student receives individual attention.
College Raptor’s free match tool can help you determine which school is a good fit for you whether you’re interested in any of the above schools or want to broaden your search for schools that offer political science
5 Common Jobs For Political Science Majors
In addition to politics and governance, political science students also learn several transferable skills that employers appreciate in both, the public and private sectors. Political science graduates are skilled at researching, analyzing data, problem-solving, assessing claims, and working collaboratively as well as independently. They also have strong research, communication, analytical, and leadership skills, which are valued by organizations across all fields.
With the knowledge and skills you acquire during your course, a degree in political science will open doors for you to a wide range of career paths in the public and private sectors. If you’re especially interested in U.S. politics and that’s the specialty you focused on, you can pursue a career in the public sector either in politics or any government agency. Your entry level will depend on whether you’ve earned an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in political science.
We’ve put together some of the more common jobs for political science majors. While a political science degree may not be a mandatory requirement for all of the roles listed below, it’s sure to give you the edge, especially when applying to highly competitive jobs.
1. Political scientist
Political scientists spend most of their work day on research and analysis. They conduct research on all sorts of political subjects including national politics, foreign relations, political theories, and political structures in different countries. They also develop and test political theory, monitor policy decisions and current events, and assess the effects of policies and laws on governments, businesses, and populations, both domestically and internationally.
This is a high-paying, fast-growing job. Political scientists earn a median annual salary of $132,350. The job growth is projected to be 7% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average for most occupations.
2. Policy Manager
A policy manager’s primary responsibility is to ensure that legislative decisions are implemented. In this role, you would research pressing issues, oversee finances and budgets associated with a specific law or program, strategize to improve legislation, and draft detailed proposals with suggestions for improvements. Policy managers also represent government groups or nonprofit organizations at legal hearings or in the media.
This is a high-paying job with an average salary of $86,109.
3. Political consultant
As a political consultant, your primary responsibility is to work together with candidates on election campaigns and advise them on strategy decisions. Your main aim in this role is to increase the candidate’s chances of succeeding in their campaign. A typical workday would involve monitoring campaign finances and media publications, overseeing advertising strategies, drafting press releases, and scheduling media appearances. Political consultants rarely work alone. Instead, they work together with other campaign staff including directors and advisors.
The median annual salary of a political consultant is $77,674.
4. Legislative assistant
Legislative assistants research current issues and conduct extensive research, surveys, and interviews among various demographics to determine which laws and policies require immediate attention. Based on their findings, they work together with legislators and government organizations at all levels to develop and implement better laws and policies. As part of their responsibilities, legislative assistants also coordinate meetings and events between constituents and their representatives, write out reports, and handle administrative duties.
A legislative assistant earns an average annual salary of $58,084.
5. Diplomat
Earning a degree in political science is a great choice for anyone interested in traveling and working with governments of different countries as a diplomat. In this role, you would be representing the government of the USA. Your main responsibilities would be liaising between the US government and other global entities and managing relationships among governments around the world. Other duties involve negotiating contracts and treaties regarding issues such as economics, trade, war, and the environment, and writing and submitting reports about the state of international relations. As a diplomat you would live overseas for multiple years at a time.
Diplomats earn a median annual salary of $97,246.
Careers for political scientist majors are not limited to just these five opportunities. Other career paths you can pursue include:
- Journalism
- Research and Academia
- Law
- Urban Planning
- Civil Service
- Secondary Education
- Business
- Information Security
- Economics
College Raptor’s free match tool can help you determine which school is a good fit for you whether you’re interested in any of the above schools or want to broaden your search for schools that offer a political science major.
