Best Political Science Schools

Are you passionate about politics and would like to dig into the field by understanding topics such as political theory, international relations, and public policy? Researching the best Poly Sci Schools should be your first step in finding your dream university and developing a highly critical political thought. I've looked at the best universities for high achievers who want to become leaders in the field and explain some of the topics you will find during your college career.

The possibilities for your future as a student of political science are vast. The undergraduate and graduate programs will help you develop strong communication, critical, and research skills and will open doors to a wide range of industries, from non-profits to journalism and law.

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Understanding Political Science

Political Science is a field of study that analyzes the relationship between governance and power. The studies of Poly sci can dive deep into the subject area of domestic policy and international relations, which can help you better analyze the world's complex agreements and relations. This field of social sciences has developed the use of empiricism and scientific methods to examine political systems, institutions, and behaviors, which explains why it is considered a social science.

The need for political scientists exists due to pressing global challenges, and well-equipped students will graduate with the ability to study the causes of conflict and electoral behavior or evaluate public policies. They will be able to provide insights that can make a massive difference in using effective policy and its consequences on societal behavior.

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Discovering the Best Political Science Programs for Your Future

The best way to become a highly skilled political scientist is by researching top political science programs in the U.S., like Stanford University. This is why I've created a list of the top 10 political science schools in higher education. Let's explore them!

Stanford University

Stanford University was home to notable alumni such as Condoleezza Rice, the first African-American woman to hold the position of U.S. Secretary of State. Students at Stanford University will dive deep into global and domestic politics while developing strong communication and critical thinking skills by analyzing governments, policies, and behavior through research methods of social sciences.

UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley can be a great school for students who are interested in topics ranging from war and scientific study of international conflict to human trafficking. The University fosters a welcoming environment for all, and it is committed to diversity and inclusion to empower all students to succeed.

Find scholarships in California to help support your educational goals!

Harvard University

Harvard University's political science department can introduce you to social studies that go as deep as understanding the relationship between happiness and political structures on a national and community level. The University challenges the status quo of themes that can be studied in political science, allowing students to participate in research projects that go beyond traditional power structures.

Princeton University

Princeton has a strong foundation in politics. The University's curriculum is composed of over 50 courses with a focus on four primary fields: American and Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. The undergraduate program allows students to design their own senior thesis, incentivizing them to conduct independent research.

Columbia University

Columbia University has a unique perspective on studying politics. The University uses innovative data collection techniques, including game theory, statistical analysis, and laboratory and field studies, to comprehend complex societal topics. Columbia University was home to the first woman secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, who served for four years from 1997 to 2001.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan encourages students to engage actively with the political atmosphere through a strong foundation in political systems, theories, and data analysis. The University not only has a strong curriculum but also carries a historical tradition of teaching political science courses, which started in 1860 when students could attend classes about the Constitution.

Yale University

According to college factual, Yale University students receive more than $23,448 than other political science grads. The Political Science program encourages students to start writing and publishing early in their careers. Through this incentivization, students develop an intellectual curiosity and articles that will be carried on throughout their careers, which can be primordial if they opt to pursue a Ph.D. in Political sciences.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The MIT Poly Sci program allows students to learn in small classes, allowing them to engage more with professors. The department's research approach gives students world-class training and exposure to the discipline. The University also has its own political science newsletter, in which you can learn about topics related to Poly Sci at MIT.

UC San Diego

Although the UCSD Department of Political Science was founded in 1974, the program has ranked 8th in the nation, showing that history in tradition is only sometimes necessary to provide students with a rigorous educational program. The curriculum will allow students to study American politics, comparative politics, data analytics, international relations, political theory, public law, and public policy.

Duke University

Duke University has a flexible program in which the major is designed to match students' career aspirations. Therefore, many students choose to augment their knowledge with other majors such as Economics, Sociology, Psychology, History, etc. Duke's program also encourages students to take advantage of the study abroad program, exposing students to other cultures and approaches to the field.

Careers in Political Science

It may seem far, but looking at career possibilities before attending University is a great way to make informed decisions. Understanding possible careers will allow you to understand what classes you should take to understand better what type of knowledge the job you are aspiring for requires. This is why I made a list of some of the careers available to political scientists:

Political Scientist

Political Scientists study how government works. They study political systems and public opinions to understand how changes in the government can affect the population. The median annual salary of a Political Scientist is $128,020, and a master's program is required.

Survey Researchers

Survey researchers create and analyze survey data to understand society's behavior and opinions about health, business administration, and politics. The median annual salary of a Survey Researcher is $60,140, and the education required is a master's and, in some cases, a Bachelor's.

Journalist

Political science can equip students with strong writing and research skills. Consequently, having a strong political knowledge can allow you to be a great journalist. A career in journalism can open doors to producing material for television, radio, websites, and newspapers. A median annual salary is about $55,960, and the minimum education required is a Bachelor's degree.

Public Relations Manager

A political scientist's strong knowledge of societal behavior and conflict allows Them to be Public Relations Managers. They work to build and protect a company's image by handling media, managing advertisements, and managing any sort of public crisis to improve the company's name. The median annual salary is $129,430, and the minimum required education is a Bachelor's degree, but a Master's degree is sometimes preferred.

Legislative Assistant

If law sparkles your curiosity, becoming a Legislative Assistant can be a great job. Legislative Assistants provide administrative support to lawmakers, assisting them with their daily tasks. The median annual salary is $43,600.

The salaries listed above are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as reported by Forbes.

Although these are typical jobs for political scientists, I advise you to use your critical thinking skills to understand all the abilities you can develop by pursuing a degree at a top university. The possibilities can go beyond our imagination.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Political Science Schools

What are the GPA and standardized test score requirements for admission to the program?

Top universities in the U.S. will often have rigorous criteria for acceptance rates, so aim to have a GPA close to 4.0. Additionally, many schools are no longer accepting SAT or ACT, so we recommend you look at the universities that you are more interested in and check the standardized test score requirements. However, if you apply for these universities and don't get accepted, don't feel discouraged because many students go to community college first and tend to transfer since the acceptance rate can be higher in those cases.

For more information about standardized tests and GPAs, check out our blog today.

What will make my application stand out from other candidates?

Start by writing a compelling essay. It is your opportunity to showcase your writing ability, explain why you are interested in the University you are applying to, and specify in the essay what is unique about the University. It could be a specific lab, club, or even societal deeds the University is involved in.

It is advisable to highlight extracurricular activities in which you have been involved, and having high test scores on the SAT or ACT is a plus. Additionally, we recommend talking to professors from your school who can write a letter of reference.

Is studying for a double major or minor helpful for pursuing a career in political science?

Many students question whether they should pursue a double major or a minor to implement their knowledge. The answer is that having a double major or minor will not hurt your curriculum, and social sciences can combine well with other majors.

Employers like to see when students have dedicated themselves to expanding their knowledge in two different fields. Combining knowledge is always a great way to immerse yourself in the market.

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