MAJOR GUIDE
Best Colleges for Political Science (2026)
Best colleges for political science and government. Georgetown, Harvard, Yale, and 15+ top programs compared by faculty, DC access, and career outcomes in policy and law.
Top Colleges for Political Science
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · 12.4% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1410-1540 · GPA: 4.04 · 7,460 undergrads
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · 3.2% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1510-1580 · GPA: 3.95 · 7,178 undergrads
Yale University
New Haven, CT · 3.7% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1510-1570 · GPA: 3.94 · 6,640 undergrads
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ · 4% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1510-1580 · GPA: 3.9 · 5,590 undergrads
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · 3.7% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1500-1570 · GPA: 3.96 · 7,760 undergrads
George Washington University
Washington, DC · 41% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1310-1470 · GPA: 3.67 · 12,200 undergrads
American University
Washington, DC · 36% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1250-1410 · GPA: 3.61 · 8,540 undergrads
Columbia University
New York, NY · 3.9% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1480-1570 · GPA: 4.13 · 8,800 undergrads
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · 5.4% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1510-1570 · GPA: 4.07 · 7,560 undergrads
Duke University
Durham, NC · 6.2% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1490-1570 · GPA: 4.13 · 6,680 undergrads
Career Paths for Political Science Majors
Policy Analyst
Legislative Aide
Lawyer (JD)
Political Campaign Manager
Diplomat
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgetown good for political science?
Georgetown is arguably the best school for political science and international affairs due to its location in DC, the School of Foreign Service, and direct access to government institutions.
Written by AdmitPath team
Rankings based on IPEDS data, program reputation, and career outcome metrics. Last updated June 2026.
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