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2025 Best Political Science & Government Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

126 Colleges in the Southeast Region
10,222 Bachelor's Degrees
$34,436 Avg Early-Career Salary
Political Science & Government is of the hottest bachelor's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #12 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 126 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Political Science & Government Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 10,222 bachelor's degrees in political science & government to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Political Science & Government School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Political Science & Government Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region The political science bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we include a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for political science & government students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Political Science Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Political Science & Government Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Political Science & Government in the Southeast Region

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for political science & government students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Southeast Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Political Science

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in political science & government. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham.

Those political science & government students who get their bachelor's degree from Duke University receive $20,534 more than the average political science graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Duke University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
130 Annual Graduates
$46,843 Median Starting Salary
$84,678 Median Student Debt

It is difficult to beat Vanderbilt University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in political science & government. Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the political science & government degree program at Vanderbilt University earn $12,407 more than the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Vanderbilt University

3
369 Annual Graduates
$41,200 Median Starting Salary
$29,946 Median Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science & government. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population.

Political Science & Government bachelor's degree recipients from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a boost of approximately $6,764 over the typical income of political science & government majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

4

University of Virginia - Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in political science & government. University of Virginia is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Charlottesville.

Bachelor's recipients from the political science & government program at University of Virginia - Main Campus get $11,439 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of Virginia - Main Campus

5
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
337 Annual Graduates
$31,574 Median Starting Salary
$18,273 Median Student Debt

UF is a fairly large public university located in the city of Gainesville.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the political science program state that they receive average early career income of $31,574.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of Florida

6
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
200 Annual Graduates
$42,114 Median Starting Salary
$36,510 Median Student Debt

Virginia Tech is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Blacksburg.

Those political science & government students who get their bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech receive $7,678 more than the standard political science graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Virginia Tech

7
139 Annual Graduates
$41,265 Median Starting Salary
$33,174 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Those political science & government students who get their bachelor's degree from Tulane University of Louisiana receive $6,829 more than the standard political science graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Tulane University of Louisiana

8
266 Annual Graduates
$39,842 Median Starting Salary
$19,582 Median Student Debt

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Athens.

Those political science & government students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Georgia earn $5,406 more than the standard political science student.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of Georgia

9
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
421 Annual Graduates
$34,745 Median Starting Salary
$17,234 Median Student Debt

Florida State is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the political science program earn about $34,745 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Florida State University

10
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
190 Annual Graduates
$41,317 Median Starting Salary
$46,000 Median Student Debt

William & Mary is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg.

Those political science & government students who get their bachelor's degree from William & Mary receive $6,881 more than the standard political science student.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from William & Mary

11
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta.

Political Science & Government bachelor's degree recipients from Emory University get an earnings boost of around $12,193 over the average income of political science & government graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Emory University

12
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

Those political science & government students who get their bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University make $12,725 more than the typical political science student.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Wake Forest University

13
180 Annual Graduates
$45,846 Median Starting Salary
$55,871 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those political science & government students who get their bachelor's degree from George Mason University receive $11,410 more than the average political science graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from George Mason University

14
210 Annual Graduates
$33,157 Median Starting Salary
$40,383 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduating, political science bachelor's recipients typically make about $33,157 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of South Carolina - Columbia

15
70 Annual Graduates

Washington and Lee is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Lexington.More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Washington and Lee University

16
149 Annual Graduates
$29,728 Median Starting Salary
$39,444 Median Student Debt

UT Knoxville is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the political science program report average early career earnings of $29,728.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

17
200 Annual Graduates
$32,699 Median Starting Salary
$58,309 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the political science program report average early career earnings of $32,699.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from The University of Alabama

18
209 Annual Graduates
$34,965 Median Starting Salary
$20,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the political science program state that they receive average early career earnings of $34,965.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of South Florida - Main Campus

19
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
110 Annual Graduates
$42,128 Median Starting Salary
$43,192 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Political Science & Government bachelor's degree recipients from James Madison University receive an earnings boost of around $7,692 above the typical income of political science & government graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from James Madison University

20
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
107 Annual Graduates
$33,867 Median Starting Salary
$45,193 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

After graduation, political science bachelor's recipients typically earn around $33,867 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of Miami

21
165 Annual Graduates
$30,771 Median Starting Salary
$35,978 Median Student Debt

Louisiana State University is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Baton Rouge.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the political science program earn about $30,771 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

22
112 Annual Graduates
$34,745 Median Starting Salary
$33,600 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Lexington, UK is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the political science program earn around $34,745 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of Kentucky

23

Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the political science program report average early career wages of $26,983.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from Florida International University

24

Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the political science program make around $35,937 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from University of Central Florida

25
177 Annual Graduates
$38,321 Median Starting Salary
$34,024 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Political Science & Government bachelor's degree recipients from North Carolina State University earn a boost of approximately $3,885 above the typical income of political science & government majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in political science & government from North Carolina State University

Rest of the Top Best Political Science & Government Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Political Science & Government students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Political Science & Government Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
26 University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA
27 Rhodes College Memphis, TN
28 Clemson University Clemson, SC
29 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
30 Elon University Elon, NC
31 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
32 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
33 Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC
34 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
35 Centre College Danville, KY
36 Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA
37 Furman University Greenville, SC
38 Auburn University Auburn, AL
39 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
40 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
41 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
42 University of Louisville Louisville, KY

Best Political Science & Government Colleges by State

Explore the best political science & government schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 225 2,430
Georgia 224 1,125
Tennessee 220 694
North Carolina 213 1,695
Virginia 213 1,669
South Carolina 195 756
Kentucky 187 425
Alabama 184 561
Louisiana 171 558
Mississippi 169 268
Arkansas 167 289
West Virginia 147 245

View All Rankings >

Political Science & Government is one of 13 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.

Political Science Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Political Science 9,954
Other Political Science & Government 206
Political Economy 50
American Government & Politics (United States) 12

Related Major Annual Graduates
Economics 5,269
Sociology 4,893
International Relations & National Security 2,227
Anthropology 1,745
General Social Sciences 1,169
Geography & Cartography 640
Sociology & Anthropology 109
Other Social Sciences 82
Urban Studies 70
Archeology 22

Notes and References

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