Ranking of Political Science Graduate Programs

The rankings below have been generated just for you using the priorities you set on this page. You can change your priorities or get rankings for a different field.


How to Read Your Ranking

  • Programs are ranked by their score, a weighted sum of the items you chose. (Details)
  • Descriptions of each item are listed at the bottom of the page. (You can also see a description by mousing over items at the top of the table.)
  • Your weight for each item is shown beneath the item at the top of the table. Weights range in magnitude from 0 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
  • A positive weight means that you prefer larger values for the item. A negative weight means that you prefer smaller values for the item.
  • Green values are at least one standard deviation better than the mean. Red values are at least one standard deviation worse than the mean.
  • Data sources can be found below.

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Your Ranking of Political Science Graduate Schools

Click on a program to see a detailed profile
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.Political Science, University of Rochester48.16.775%4.03.710.74.03.8181.746%670650
2.Political Science, Yale University34.57.260%4.22.312.34.612.0292.410%740740
3.Political Science, Stony Brook University32.14.784%2.92.77.72.93.8182.151%610570
4.Political Science, Rice University32.05.792%2.61.81.62.42.8121.525%725710
5.International Policy Studies, Stanford University30.36.076%4.01.84.94.510.6283.212%735720
5.Political Science, Stanford University30.36.076%4.01.84.94.510.6283.212%735720
7.Political Science, Duke University28.97.281%3.72.57.83.99.0293.122%725705
8.Political Sciences (Politics), Princeton University27.66.387%3.91.83.04.411.2491.211%745735
9.W. Wilson Sch of Public & Int'l Affairs, Princeton University25.76.387%3.91.83.04.412.8491.211%745735
10.Political Science, Washington University in St Louis22.16.568%3.40.91.73.34.0182.519%730710
11.Government (Political Science), Harvard University21.97.280%4.22.712.34.921.8483.69%745745
12.Political Science, Emory University20.66.983%2.72.13.42.95.4222.039%700680
13.Government, Cornell University20.56.387%3.61.51.73.98.2392.227%710675
13.Political Science, University of California-Irvine20.57.756%2.82.813.73.14.6231.552%620580
15.International Relations/Pacific Studies, University of California-San Diego20.36.571%3.71.94.84.17.6361.639%655605
15.Political Science, University of California-San Diego20.36.571%3.71.94.84.17.6361.639%655605
17.Political Science, Michigan State University16.25.972%3.32.34.93.25.6281.576%585555
18.Political Science, University of Nebraska at Lincoln14.75.281%2.21.61.42.32.0181.175%605595
19.Political Science, Johns Hopkins University14.66.785%3.10.70.73.46.8193.135%705680
19.Political Science, University of California-Davis14.67.288%2.61.92.32.63.6210.955%615565
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
21.Political Science, Florida State University13.25.973%3.01.92.52.84.0192.362%585575
22.Political Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities13.17.486%3.91.33.14.07.4302.970%630600
23.Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University12.76.387%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*8.225*2.9*27%710675
24.Political Science, University of Georgia12.66.784%2.72.42.42.74.8301.662%615610
25.Political Science, Northwestern University12.37.762%3.11.43.53.45.0203.530%715695
25.Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill12.36.775%3.52.14.03.59.8283.736%650640
27.Political Science, University of South Carolina-Columbia11.95.965%2.52.53.12.42.8152.167%580570
28.Political Science, Vanderbilt University11.77.275%2.31.10.42.32.8141.635%695675
29.Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee11.65.563%2.51.90.92.52.2200.889%625*610*
30.International Relations, University of Chicago10.67.764%3.82.611.94.416.0286.840%715725
30.Political Science, University of Chicago10.67.764%3.82.611.94.416.0286.840%715725
30.Political Science, University of Illinois at Chicago10.65.270%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.825*2.9*58%605570
33.Political Science, University of Colorado at Boulder10.16.988%2.72.23.72.85.4262.088%600580
34.Political Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign9.47.480%3.01.90.73.23.6332.268%675615
35.Political Science, Western Michigan University8.86.789%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.225*2.9*85%625*610*
36.Politics, New York University8.67.766%2.61.92.32.46.8210.837%665665
37.Political Science, University of Idaho8.44.570%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.825*2.9*83%550550
38.Political Science, University of Iowa7.86.850%3.31.81.63.33.2221.484%600585
39.International Studies, University of Kansas Main Campus7.26.583%2.51.10.92.33.0192.169%625*610*
39.Political Science, University of Kansas Main Campus7.26.583%2.51.10.92.33.0192.169%625*610*
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
39.Political Science, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus7.26.680%2.90.90.83.26.0291.849%625610
39.Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus7.26.680%2.90.90.83.26.0291.849%625610
43.Political Science, University of Arizona7.17.091%2.52.23.82.93.8203.888%565560
44.Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology6.69.065%3.72.15.54.011.6246.514%770730
45.Political Science, Brown University6.27.750%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.825*2.9*15%725710
46.Diplomacy and International Commerce - D, University of Kentucky5.67.386%2.61.84.22.45.2172.679%575565
46.Political Science - POSC, University of Kentucky5.67.386%2.61.84.22.45.2172.679%575565
48.Internat'l Peace Studies-Joan Kroc Inst, University of Notre Dame5.56.773%2.41.11.02.75.8331.832%700685
48.Political Science, University of Notre Dame5.56.773%2.41.11.02.75.8331.832%700685
50.Political Science, Teachers College at Columbia University4.77.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.025*2.9*55%*625*610*
51.Political Science, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus4.47.272%2.32.23.72.73.4162.391%560550
52.Political Science, Georgia State University4.25.870%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*56%550540
52.Political Science, Miami University-Oxford4.26.877%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*4.025*2.9*69%625605
54.Political Science, Indiana University-Bloomington3.66.275%3.51.72.63.57.6273.785%560550
55.Political Science, University of California-Los Angeles3.58.268%3.62.88.44.314.8573.123%665630
56.Political Science/Public Admin, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus2.45.682%2.01.51.71.93.8242.486%625*610*
57.Political Science, Boston College2.38.0100%1.30.60.12.01.8162.931%680655
58.Political Science, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor2.28.171%4.31.65.64.615.2443.957%680640
59.Political Science, Texas A & M University2.16.269%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*4.825*2.9*70%615585
59.Political Science, West Virginia University2.16.586%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*3.025*2.9*89%545525
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
61.Political Science, University of Oregon1.86.769%2.12.04.22.23.2181.991%560555
62.International Relations, Florida International University1.67.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.625*2.9*61%550555
62.Politcal Science, Florida International University1.67.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.625*2.9*61%550555
62.Political Science, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College1.67.275%2.02.01.52.02.8191.678%600575
62.Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison1.66.783%3.91.21.54.111.4493.071%650615
66.Political Science, University of Pennsylvania1.28.352%2.41.63.92.77.0232.821%725705
67.Politics, Brandeis University1.08.777%2.11.00.32.44.2122.740%675675
68.Political Science, Ohio State University-Main Campus0.86.269%3.42.75.93.713.4334.573%580560
68.Political Science, University of Mississippi Main Campus0.86.570%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*1.025*2.9*81%540535
70.Political Science, SUNY at Binghamton0.75.773%2.40.80.92.33.2174.943%650615
71.Foreign Affairs Program, University of Virginia-Main Campus0.26.747%2.71.43.53.25.2343.138%670655
71.Government Program, University of Virginia-Main Campus0.26.747%2.71.43.53.25.2343.138%670655
73.Public Affairs - Government, American University0.15.950%2.21.51.32.43.2222.751%625645
74.Political Science, Syracuse University-0.26.965%2.81.10.82.86.0281.465%620595
75.Political Science, Loyola University Chicago-0.37.775%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*3.025*2.9*74%585590
75.Political Science, University of Washington-Seattle Campus-0.37.276%3.01.12.03.38.6302.367%610590
77.Political Science, University of New Orleans-0.54.564%1.71.92.01.52.8113.073%545535
78.Political Science, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus-0.97.281%2.41.20.92.34.4193.158%610580
79.Political Science, Washington State University-1.06.791%1.03.01.51.44.2132.774%560545
80.Political Sci & International Relations, University of Delaware-1.18.769%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.225*2.9*47%610595
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
81.Political Science, University of New Mexico-Main Campus-1.27.373%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*1.625*2.9*74%535540
82.Political Science, Colorado State University-1.96.764%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.025*2.9*88%565555
82.Political Science & Internat'l Relations, University of Florida-1.97.568%2.31.22.52.55.2281.857%640620
84.Political Science, University of California-Berkeley-2.98.282%4.12.01.64.724.4413.525%685645
85.Political Science, SUNY at Albany-4.08.073%2.31.61.32.34.0222.256%575555
85.Political Science, University of Nevada-Reno-4.07.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*86%535525
87.Political Science, University of California-Riverside-4.16.867%2.11.20.62.43.4191.474%565510
88.Political Science, The University of Alabama-4.56.856%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*3.425*2.9*74%565565
89.Political Science, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-4.67.368%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*7.825*2.9*61%615580
90.Political Science, University of California-Santa Barbara-5.57.862%2.62.01.62.76.0223.653%600580
91.International Service, American University-5.85.950%1.90.80.31.93.2182.451%625645
91.International Relations, University of Southern California-5.86.941%2.21.31.22.34.8183.727%690665
91.Political Science, University of Southern California-5.86.941%2.21.31.22.34.8183.727%690665
91.Politics and International Relations, University of Southern California-5.86.941%2.21.31.22.34.8183.727%690665
95.Political Science, The New School-6.08.368%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*4.825*2.9*51%560565
96.Political Science, Tulane University of Louisiana-6.27.770%*1.60.40.51.51.2143.045%680670
97.Government, Georgetown University-6.57.458%2.51.10.92.99.8313.221%695695
98.Political Science, SUNY at Buffalo-6.77.453%2.50.80.82.12.8162.156%595565
99.European Studies, George Washington University-7.69.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
99.International Affairs, George Washington University-7.69.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
99.Legislative Affairs, George Washington University-7.69.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
99.Political Science, George Washington University-7.69.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
99.Security Policy Studies, George Washington University-7.69.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
104.Political Science, University of Houston-8.47.274%2.70.30.03.05.6281.581%550520
105.Political Science, University of Missouri-St Louis-8.59.060%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*62%575560
106.Political Science, University of Dallas-9.010.773%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*81%595640
107.Government, The University of Texas at Austin-9.18.572%3.21.41.53.510.0531.751%630605
108.Political Science, Purdue University-Main Campus-11.86.767%2.20.80.22.47.0291.385%590555
109.Political Science, Texas Tech University-12.06.270%0.90.70.71.22.0181.371%575555
110.Political Science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale-12.26.329%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*1.825*2.9*77%520520
111.Political Science, Wayne State University-12.98.763%2.20.71.02.04.4241.863%625*610*
112.Political Science, The University of Tennessee-13.14.744%1.50.90.51.43.8172.644%555555
113.Political Science, Northern Illinois University-13.76.571%2.01.10.71.85.2301.970%538520
114.Political Science, Howard University-15.86.756%2.11.22.41.67.0183.847%565560
115.Political Science, University of Massachusetts-Amherst-17.29.050%2.31.42.02.44.8212.680%575565
116.Government and Politics, University of Maryland-College Park-17.56.855%3.11.20.83.216.0403.549%650625
117.Political Science, University of Connecticut-17.88.970%2.40.70.22.35.2263.851%600585
117.Public Affairs, University of Connecticut-17.88.970%2.40.70.22.35.2263.851%600585
119.Political Science, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-18.79.663%1.01.62.11.72.2141.977%565545
120.Political Science, Kent State University-Kent Campus-18.97.2*70%*1.20.80.41.11.6141.994%515515
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.Political Science, University of Missouri-Columbia-21.37.960%1.41.40.71.85.0154.283%595600
122.Political Science/Public Administration, University of North Texas-21.510.167%1.71.00.81.61.8221.869%555545
123.Political Sciences, Columbia University in the City of New York-22.18.172%3.22.15.03.825.4487.413%725715
124.Political Science, University of Utah-22.89.970%*1.70.60.31.72.4272.386%625*610*
125.Political Science, Idaho State University-23.65.745%0.30.10.60.31.872.955%*625*610*
126.International Relations, Boston University-24.26.730%1.10.80.11.74.8124.255%655645
126.Political Science, Boston University-24.26.730%1.10.80.11.74.8124.255%655645
128.Political Science, Northern Arizona University-25.67.770%1.40.20.11.23.6181.886%500500
129.Political Science (Doctorate Only), CUNY Graduate School and University Center-27.39.467%2.10.80.92.68.2305.255%*625*610*
130.International Political Economy & Dev, Fordham University-29.39.264%1.10.60.71.12.8144.850%590600
130.Political Science, Fordham University-29.39.264%1.10.60.71.12.8144.850%590600
132.Political Science, University of Hawaii at Manoa-33.58.236%2.11.30.62.58.0265.065%570535
133.Politics, Catholic University of America-37.48.238%1.00.30.11.04.0123.482%565580
134.Political Science, Temple University-37.89.850%1.30.40.21.53.8193.763%550540
135.Political Science, Clark Atlanta University-42.19.583%0.80.10.00.64.495.647%470462
136.Politics and Policy, Claremont Graduate University-56.06.744%1.70.80.81.812.4914.755%*625*610*

Item Descriptions

Your Score
Your customized program score is a weighted sum of points for each item. The weights were selected on this page. For an item with importance weight W, a program receives W × S points for being S standard deviations above average. Larger values are better.
Years to Degree (Yrs)
Median time lapse from entering graduate school at the doctorate-granting institution to receipt of doctorate in years. Note that time spent obtaining a master's degree at a different institution is not counted. Your weight = -4. Smaller values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Placement Rate (Job)
Percentage of doctorate recipients from the program with definite plans at graduation (either a job or a postdoctoral position). Your weight = 4. Larger values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Educational Effectiveness (Ed Eff)
Program effectiveness in educating research scholars and scientists, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not Effective" and 5 denoting "Extremely Effective." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Publications per Faculty Member (Pub / Fac)
The ratio of the number of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Citations per Faculty Member (Cite / Fac)
The ratio of the number of citations of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Faculty Quality (Fac Qual)
Scholarly quality of program faculty, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not sufficient for doctoral education" and 5 denoting "Distinguished." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Doctorates Granted per Year (Deg / Yr)
The average number of doctorates granted by the program per year between 2001 and 2005. Your weight = -5. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = -4. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -5. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (UG Acc)
The percentage of applicants the institution accepts into its undergraduate programs. Your weight = -2. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Math SAT Score (SAT-M)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile mathematics SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Verbal SAT Score (SAT-V)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile verbal SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Missing Values
Missing values have been replaced with the average value for all programs in the field.

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
IPEDS is an annual, comprehensive set of surveys of all colleges and universities in the United States. The surveys are conducted by the National Center for Education StatisticsLearn more
National Research Council
The National Research Council conducts assessments of doctoral programs in the United States every 10 to 15 years). The data we use are from the most recent assessment, the 1995 study Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change. Learn more about the NRC study's methods here; order a copy here. The next NRC assessment is scheduled for release in Summer 2009.  Learn more
Survey of Earned Doctorates
The NSF/NIH/NEH/USED/USDA/NASA Survey of Earned Doctorates is an annual survey of all new recipients of doctorates from US universities at graduation. The average of the response rates for the 2000–2004 surveys was 92%.  Learn more
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
The Survey is an annual assessment of the number and characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in science, engineering, and health-related fields. It is conducted by the National Science FoundationLearn more
* Value is missing. The value shown is based on the average for other programs in the same field. Learn more.
Data are for all Political Science degree recipients from the institution and may include graduates from more than one program.
The graduate school rankings on PhDs.org have been made possible by
grants from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and The Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
The Center for Science and the Media served as the project's fiscal sponsor.