by our College Data Analytics TeamPolitical Science was the 13th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 47,549 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 1.7% increase in poly sci degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 46,740.
Our 2023 Best Political Science Schools ranking analyzes 599 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for political science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of poly sci programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in political science is talking to others to convey information effectively. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
political science degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic political science program qualifications, to serve in some poly sci careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different poly sci degree levels. You can get anything from a in political science to the highest poly sci degree, a . The time it takes to complete a poly sci degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to poly sci, with approximately 39.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for poly sci workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 36.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 33.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 1.6% |
About 52.2% of workers in careers related to poly sci obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in political science have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which poly sci career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your poly sci degree? Political Science careers are expected to grow 8.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to political science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Political Science Professors | 23,400 | 10.4% |
| Political Scientists | 7,500 | 2.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for poly sci graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for political science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers poly sci grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Political Scientists | $115,300 |
| Political Science Professors | $99,480 |
With over 2,288 different poly sci degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased poly sci school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Political Science & Government area of study, Political Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Political Science & Government | 1,010 |
| American Government & Politics (United States) | 365 |
| Political Economy | 358 |
Image Credit: By UKWiki at English Wikipedia under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
