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2025 Best Political Science & Government Schools in Iowa

6 Colleges in Iowa
373 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$37,575 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #20 in popularity, political science & government is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 6 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Political Science & Government Schools in Iowa ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 373 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 Iowa 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. We derive our Best Overall Political Science & Government School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

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

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 Iowa ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Political Science & Government in Iowa

The schools below may not offer all types of political science degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

Top Iowa Schools in Political Science

1
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
129 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$39,133 Median Starting Salary

University of Iowa is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in political science & government. Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were approximately 129 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the political science program earn about $39,133 in the first couple years of their career.

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

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
65 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$30,715 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat Iowa State University if you wish to pursue a degree in political science & government. Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #88 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.

There were about 65 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the political science program report average early career earnings of $30,715.

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

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
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
38 Political Science Degrees Awarded
15.8% Growth in Graduates

Grinnell College is a good choice for students interested in a degree in political science & government. Grinnell is a small private not-for-profit college located in the remote town of Grinnell. This college ranks 4th out of 37 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were about 38 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the political science program make an average of $36,662 for their early career.

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

4
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In IA

It is difficult to beat Drake University if you wish to pursue a degree in political science & government. Drake is a small private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Des Moines. This university ranks 5th out of 37 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were about 25 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Drake in the most recent year we have data available.

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

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$37,875 Median Starting Salary

UNI is a moderately-sized public university located in the city of Cedar Falls. A Best Colleges rank of #270 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UNI is a great university overall.

There were approximately 22 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the political science program report average early career income of $37,875.

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

6
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$21,358 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Decorah, Luther is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 9th out of 37 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were roughly 18 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Luther in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients generally make about $21,358 in the first five years of their career.

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

Best Political Science & Government Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 284 685
Missouri 283 574
Kansas 266 270
Nebraska 238 219
North Dakota 210 55
South Dakota 204 71

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 370
Other Political Science & Government 3

View All Political Science Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Political Science

Related Major Annual Graduates
Economics 326
Sociology 244
Anthropology 93
International Relations & National Security 65
Geography & Cartography 39
General Social Sciences 25
Sociology & Anthropology 5
Other Social Sciences 4

View All Political Science Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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