College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region

84 Colleges in the Far Western US Region
9,771 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$37,575 Avg Early-Career Salary
Political Science & Government is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #20 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 84 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 9,771 degrees in political science & government to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Political Science & Government School

Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region The political science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Political Science & Government rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for political science & government schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Political Science & Government Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Political Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Political Science
Master's Degrees in Political Science
Doctor's Degrees in Political Science

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

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.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the Far Western US Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the political science degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

16 Top Far Western US Region Schools in Political Science

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
707 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$34,392 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you wish to pursue a degree in political science & government. UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 707 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, political science degree recipients generally make about $34,392 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - Los Angeles

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
492 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$45,418 Median Starting Salary

University of California - Berkeley is a wonderful option for students pursuing a degree in political science & government. Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 492 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the political science & government degree program at University of California - Berkeley get $7,843 above the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - Berkeley

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in Political Science Program Name

Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in Political Science from Southern New Hampshire University
3
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
99 Political Science Degrees Awarded
13.1% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat Stanford University if you wish to pursue a degree in political science & government. Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #10 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were about 99 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government degree recipients from Stanford University get an earnings boost of about $21,722 above the typical earnings of political science & government graduates.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Stanford University

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
139 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$38,063 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat University of Southern California if you want to pursue a degree in political science & government. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 139 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the political science program earn about $38,063 for their early career.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of Southern California

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
343 Political Science Degrees Awarded
4.4% Growth in Graduates

UC Davis is a very large public university located in the suburb of Davis. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Davis is a great university overall.

There were roughly 343 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the political science program earn an average of $36,208 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - Davis

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
416 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$41,246 Median Starting Salary

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the city of Seattle. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were about 416 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Those political science & government students who get their degree from University of Washington - Seattle Campus earn $3,671 more than the typical political science grad.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
268 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$39,404 Median Starting Salary

UCSB is a fairly large public university located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara. A Best Colleges rank of #47 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCSB is a great university overall.

There were about 268 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the political science program make around $39,404 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - Santa Barbara

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
248 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$31,976 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #73 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.

There were approximately 248 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the political science program make around $31,976 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - Irvine

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
380 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$33,345 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #49 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCSD is a great university overall.

There were roughly 380 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, political science degree recipients usually earn around $33,345 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - San Diego

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
308 Political Science Degrees Awarded
8.4% Growth in Graduates

UCR is a fairly large public university located in the city of Riverside. This university ranks 28th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 308 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UCR in the most recent data year. After graduating, political science degree recipients generally make about $30,060 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - Riverside

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
178 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$31,882 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #91 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Santa Cruz is a great university overall.

There were approximately 178 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UC Santa Cruz in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the political science program report average early career wages of $31,882.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of California - Santa Cruz

12
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
72 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$57,111 Median Starting Salary

SCU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Santa Clara. A Best Colleges rank of #53 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SCU is a great university overall.

There were about 72 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year we have data available. Those political science & government students who get their degree from Santa Clara University earn $19,536 more than the average political science graduate.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Santa Clara University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
203 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$36,022 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Eugene, UO is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 29 schools for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were approximately 203 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UO in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the political science program earn an average of $36,022 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in political science & government from University of Oregon

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Political Science Degrees Awarded
17.4% Growth in Graduates

Claremont McKenna is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Claremont. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Claremont McKenna is a great college overall.

There were approximately 46 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Claremont McKenna in the most recent year we have data available. Those political science & government students who get their degree from Claremont McKenna College receive $4,977 more than the typical political science graduate.

More information about a degree in political science & government from Claremont McKenna College

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
143 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$38,060 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 25th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 143 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the political science program earn about $38,060 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in political science & government from San Diego State University

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
122 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$36,502 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 30th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 122 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the political science program state that they receive average early career earnings of $36,502.

More information about a degree in political science & government from San Francisco State University

Rest of the Top Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Political Science & Government students in the Far Western US Region that almost earned our Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region award.

Rank College Location
17 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
18 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
19 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
20 University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
21 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
22 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
23 Washington State University Pullman, WA
24 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
25 Chapman University Orange, CA
26 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
27 City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
28 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA

Best Political Science & Government Colleges by State

Explore the best political science & government schools for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
California 330 8,494
Washington 300 984
Oregon 266 543
Nevada 192 224
Hawaii 164 141
Alaska 119 16

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 9,365
Other Political Science & Government 266
Political Economy 122
American Government & Politics (United States) 18

View All Political Science Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Sociology 15,078
Economics 12,012
General Social Sciences 9,542
Anthropology 3,312
Geography & Cartography 1,818
International Relations & National Security 1,575
Other Social Sciences 477
Urban Studies 453
Archeology 72
Sociology & Anthropology 56

View All Political Science Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options