### SUMMARY

 Choosing to study Political Science and Government is a valuable choice and generally a requisite first step for students planning to begin a career as an associate attorney, a government affairs specialist, or a regulatory affairs specialist. Interestingly, political science and government is a surprisingly popular major choice, coming in at the 14th most popular major. Last year, there were 41,811 political science and government degrees conferred. In-state tuition for political science and government at private universities is, on average, 4.1 times more spendy than their public peers.

 With an impressive 1126 schools having programs for political science and government chances are that any colleges you are interested in will have a degree program for you. If you're hoping to immerse yourself with other political science and government majors, consider institutions in California which have the most undergrads admitted to political science and government annually. More generally, the top region to major in political science and government is in the Southeast region with [Florida State University](/colleges/florida-state-university), [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida), and [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) best representing the region. Interestingly, our pick of the best conference to study political science and government is the Pacific-12 Conference with [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley), [University of California-Los Angeles](/colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles), and [University of Washington-Seattle Campus](/colleges/university-of-washington-seattle-campus) representing the conference. From our comprehensive list on the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our choice for the best university for political science and government is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university).

 The overall best school might not actually be the best school for you. There can be a bunch more factors to consider when choosing institution. External stuff like campus amenities, transportation services, and food would definitely refashion your thoughts of which university to attend. At Authority, we weighed the pros and cons for you. If, as an example, you are intrigued by which political science and government college boasts the top campus, the answer is [Harvard University](/colleges/harvard-university). If, for example, you are very interested in which school is home to the best campus, we have an entire page [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through professor reviews, student reviews, government databases, and more in order to compare all U.S. majors in an unbiased and informative way. You can find our well researched list for the universities with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbsphere and from that list, our choice for the school with the best student life for political science and government is [Cornell University](/colleges/cornell-university). Are you curious why? Continue reading to learn more about Authority's top recommendations. Many of our picks will probably shock you.

 If expense is a primary influence in your choice of where you attend college, you might consider avoiding [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york). [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york)&nbspappears to be the most expensive university for political science and government, at least for out of state students. That being said, we have a page for the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspschools that might put the cost at [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york)&nbspinto perspective. For more context, you could be interested to know that political science and government is the 11th most expensive major in the United States, with an average expense of $54,500. On a broader scale, the most expensive state for political science and government nationally is Vermont with tuition and fees at the primary three institutions equalling $55,790 at Middlebury College, adding up to $45,050 at Saint Michael's College, and costs amounting to $45,050 at University of Vermont. To zoom out even further, the most expensive region of the country for political science and government is the New England region which is best demonstrated with [Amherst College](/colleges/amherst-college) with a cost of $57,640, [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university) with a cost of $57,324, and [Brown University](/colleges/brown-university) with a cost of $57,112.

 Our cheapest region for political science and government is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho) with a cost of $4,208, [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo) with a cost of $5,790, and [Weber State University](/colleges/weber-state-university) with a cost of $14,973. In better news, the most affordable university for political science and government is [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida). Authority's entire list of the most affordable universities can be found [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state attendees can anticipate paying around $9,900 for a degree in political science and government. The price inflates substantially to a median of $22,400 for the out-of-state public-school undergraduate. Our choice for the school representing the best value for political science and government: [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). Through this link you can see our comprehensive list on the schools we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspoverall. Do know, this list is predicated on being an out-of-state student. A discussion of value changes when in-state tuition costs are considered, but we do not know where you live (and are not trying to collect that kind of data).

 Earnings for political science and government students differ widely, but two years after finishing the degree graduates will often earn in the neighborhood of $45,800. There can be a lot of variation in pay; top positions can make up to $109,200. Right out of college, the lowest end opportunities within the political science and government field make $19,000, which could be worse. The highest earning grads from political science and government attended [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university)&nbspand if you want to find the schools with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), we have that too.

 The all-around diversity of political science and government ranks near the top, ranking in the 77th percentile of all majors. The college with the most composite diversity for political science and government is [New York University](/colleges/new-york-university)&nbspand here you can find our general list for the universities with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The overall financial diversity of the Political Science and Government major ranks only in the 26th percentile compared to all other majors. Racial diversity is actually above financial diversity, in the 63rd percentile. White students compose the largest proportion, 57%, of those majoring in political science and government. Additionally, 50% of undergrads pursuing a political science and government degree are women.

 The median ranking for political science and government's professors is 4 stars, a rating that is right on the average score for every major; this is a fine. If you are interested in the most popular political science and government professor in the country, consider looking up Jeff Lee at [Blinn College](/colleges/blinn-college). It may come as a shock, but the highest ranked professors of political science and government according to students are at [Houston Community College](/colleges/houston-community-college). If we consider data other than basic rankings we find that the school with comprehensively the best instructors for political science and government is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). One will find an explanation of our ever evolving ranking methodology of the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with many of the finest instructors in the U.S.

 Finally, the hardest university to get into for political science and government is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). While we think of this list more as a novelty, we do have an extensive list for the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). Although, we hope you believe that considering university through a lens mainly built on superlatives could be said to be the root of many of higher education's fundamental issues. We at Authority encourage you to look at some of our other pages on different schools and peruse a couple of our background articles on beneficial things to consider as your college search develops.



 ### POPULARITY

 Political science and government is the 14th most popular degree in America, with 41,811 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #15 [Economics](/rankings/best-colleges-for-economics), and narrowly lost to #13 [Marketing](/rankings/best-colleges-for-marketing).

 The degree is offered at a total of 1,126 colleges across the nation, and is the 12th most widely offered degree. Given that political science and government is offered at 89% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America, you can be sure this is a critical degree and the skillsets acquired are likely to last for a long time.

 It is also worth noting that one out of two colleges offering political science and government are public making it a pretty accessible field.

 The southeast produces the most political science and government graduates, largely led by [Florida State University](/colleges/florida-state-university), while it’s the Pacific-12 Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, California ranks highest, with particular help from [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) and [University of California-Los Angeles](/colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more political science and government graduates than [Arizona Western College](/colleges/arizona-western-college), which graduated 647 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study political science and government). More students studied political science and government as a percentage of total students at [United States Coast Guard Academy](/colleges/united-states-coast-guard-academy) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Political science and government is the 11th most expensive degree in America, with a median cost of $54,512 amongst the top 50 programs (just ahead of #12, [Art History](rankings/best-colleges-for-art-history), with a median cost of $54,340).

 New England has the most expensive colleges with top 50 political science and government programs led by [Amherst College](/colleges/amherst-college) with an annual cost of $57,640. The most expensive state for political science and government is Vermont led by [Middlebury College](/colleges/middlebury-college) and [Saint Michael's College](/colleges/saint-michael-s-college).

 Public schools with solid programs by and large charge 75.88% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 45.64% less than your average private school. So, if you're hoping to attend a state school, make sure you're eligible for in-state tuition ASAP.

 The most expensive option in the top 25 is [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york), which is the 3rd most expensive college in the United States. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Florida State University](/colleges/florida-state-university). It costs just $16,540 per year, and it is its political science and government program is ranked #34. If you’re looking for the least expensive option in the top 25, [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida)  is probably a good fit for you, ranked #23 with an in-state cost of just $4,477. Another more affordable option would be #7, [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) in Orange County, NC with a cost of $7,019 for in-state students and $34,198 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Enrolling in college is a major investment for most people. It's critical to be confident you boost your future earning potential. With that in mind, we hope the following job placement and earnings data help you make an intelligent decision when choosing your major.

 The average Political Science and Government alumni makes a starting salary of $37,079 a year (close to national median 51st percentile). With experience in their work lives, they typically earn anywhere between $18,980 and $109,217, but average roughly $45,832. To put it in context, that's 19% greater than average.

 The most common work position for a Political Science and Government graduate is Analyst, which often make about $54,000; next are Account Executive and Consultant, which for the most part make about $36,000 and $56,000 respectively.

 The best paid region for Political Science and Government graduates is New England. WV has the highest grossing Political Science and Government alumni of any state. The best paid conference for Political Science and Government graduates is Ivy League.



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Political Science and Government: Median Professor Rating: 4 / 5, which is average.

 Professors constantly play a heavy role in your college experience, regardless of your primary focus. A thought-provoking instructor might help a student find their passion and set a student up for future success. Alternatively, a bad experience with a professor can bring unnecessary frustration or even worse... flunk you!

 Professors of Political Science and Government have a median student rating of 4 out of 5, putting them in the top 51st percentile in the nation based on overall professor quality. Suprisingly, this major is exactly the median for professor rating, which, in our opinion, is remarkably average! Professors of Political Science and Government just edged-out those from ["Public Health"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-public-health), whereas ["Linguistics"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-linguistics)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Political Science and Government.

 Now for some statistics about Political Science and Government professors. Colleges located in remote rural areas tend to have the best Political Science and Government professors. The Missouri Valley Conference has the highest rated Political Science and Government professors. The New England region has the highest rated Political Science and Government professors. Public colleges tend to have higher rated Political Science and Government professors than private universities. Finally, Illinois has the highest rated Political Science and Government professors in America.

 Jeff Lee, professor at [Blinn College](/colleges/blinn-college)&nbspin Brenham, TX is the most popular Political Science and Government professor in the US. Phillip Ayoub, instructor at [Cornell University](/colleges/cornell-university)&nbspin Ithaca, NY is the highest rated Political Science and Government professor in the US, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 See which schools have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College is an especially formative investment in one's life; it is a chance for personal growth and expansion. Undergraduates start to learn what they hope to do with their lives and develop many of the requisite skills to be a successful member of society. But growth is not exclusively found in the classroom - the campus dialogue, the life lesson received from an old professor, the exposure to a different take on things. As such, a diverse college experience tremendously enhances what one gains from the time spent in school.

 Political Science and Government is a slightly more racially diverse focus than average\*. 57% of America's Political Science and Government majors are white students, followed by latino students (18%), students of other races\*\*(11%), and asian students (9%). The most racially diverse college\* in the top 100 is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis)&nbspin Davis, CA.

 Second, Political Science and Government is diverse when it comes to sex, with 50% of students majoring in Political Science and Government identifying as women. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [Connecticut College](/colleges/connecticut-college) in New London, CT.

 Another important type of diversity is economic diversity. Sadly, Political Science and Government ranks in the bottom 26% of majors financial diversity. 32% of its majors come from households with $110,000 plus annual incomes, 16% are from middle income households, and 23% grew up in households that make under $30,000 a year. [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) has the most financially diverse students in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall CA is the most diverse state for Political Science and Government. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Conference USA is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 9%
* Black: 6%
* Latino: 18%
* White: 57%
* Other: 11%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 50%
* Female: 50%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 23%
* 30k - 48k: 15%
* 48k - 75k: 16%
* 75k - 110k: 14%
* Over 110k: 32%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 59%
* Out of State: 31%
* International: 10%


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There are about 119,850 students enrolled in Political Science and Government in the USA.

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