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)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.Government (Political Science), Harvard University79.77.280%4.22.712.34.921.8483.69%745745
2.W. Wilson Sch of Public & Int'l Affairs, Princeton University59.66.387%3.91.83.04.412.8491.211%745735
3.Political Sciences (Politics), Princeton University57.86.387%3.91.83.04.411.2491.211%745735
4.Political Science, University of California-Berkeley54.68.282%4.12.01.64.724.4413.525%685645
5.Political Science, University of California-Los Angeles52.28.268%3.62.88.44.314.8573.123%665630
6.Political Science, Yale University51.47.260%4.22.312.34.612.0292.410%740740
7.Political Sciences, Columbia University in the City of New York50.68.172%3.22.15.03.825.4487.413%725715
8.International Policy Studies, Stanford University44.56.076%4.01.84.94.510.6283.212%735720
8.Political Science, Stanford University44.56.076%4.01.84.94.510.6283.212%735720
10.International Relations, University of Chicago43.57.764%3.82.611.94.416.0286.840%715725
10.Political Science, University of Chicago43.57.764%3.82.611.94.416.0286.840%715725
12.Political Science, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor42.08.171%4.31.65.64.615.2443.957%680640
13.Political Science, Duke University40.27.281%3.72.57.83.99.0293.122%725705
14.Government, Cornell University37.06.387%3.61.51.73.98.2392.227%710675
15.Political Science, University of Rochester35.56.775%4.03.710.74.03.8181.746%670650
15.Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison35.56.783%3.91.21.54.111.4493.071%650615
17.International Relations/Pacific Studies, University of California-San Diego31.86.571%3.71.94.84.17.6361.639%655605
17.Political Science, University of California-San Diego31.86.571%3.71.94.84.17.6361.639%655605
19.Political Science, Ohio State University-Main Campus28.06.269%3.42.75.93.713.4334.573%580560
20.Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology25.59.065%3.72.15.54.011.6246.514%770730
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
20.Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill25.56.775%3.52.14.03.59.8283.736%650640
22.Government, The University of Texas at Austin22.88.572%3.21.41.53.510.0531.751%630605
23.Political Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities21.27.486%3.91.33.14.07.4302.970%630600
24.Political Science, Stony Brook University20.24.784%2.92.77.72.93.8182.151%610570
25.Government and Politics, University of Maryland-College Park19.96.855%3.11.20.83.216.0403.549%650625
26.Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University18.26.387%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*8.225*2.9*27%710675
27.Political Science, Michigan State University16.05.972%3.32.34.93.25.6281.576%585555
28.Political Science, Emory University15.76.983%2.72.13.42.95.4222.039%700680
29.Political Science, University of California-Irvine13.77.756%2.82.813.73.14.6231.552%620580
30.Political Science, University of Georgia12.56.784%2.72.42.42.74.8301.662%615610
31.Political Science, Johns Hopkins University12.26.785%3.10.70.73.46.8193.135%705680
32.Political Science, Rice University11.65.792%2.61.81.62.42.8121.525%725710
33.Political Science, Washington University in St Louis11.36.568%3.40.91.73.34.0182.519%730710
34.Political Science, Indiana University-Bloomington11.06.275%3.51.72.63.57.6273.785%560550
35.Internat'l Peace Studies-Joan Kroc Inst, University of Notre Dame10.66.773%2.41.11.02.75.8331.832%700685
35.Political Science, University of Notre Dame10.66.773%2.41.11.02.75.8331.832%700685
37.Political Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign10.27.480%3.01.90.73.23.6332.268%675615
38.Political Science, University of Washington-Seattle Campus9.57.276%3.01.12.03.38.6302.367%610590
39.Political Science, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus9.36.680%2.90.90.83.26.0291.849%625610
39.Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus9.36.680%2.90.90.83.26.0291.849%625610
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
41.Political Science, University of Colorado at Boulder8.66.988%2.72.23.72.85.4262.088%600580
42.Government, Georgetown University8.57.458%2.51.10.92.99.8313.221%695695
43.Political Science, Northwestern University7.37.762%3.11.43.53.45.0203.530%715695
44.Foreign Affairs Program, University of Virginia-Main Campus7.16.747%2.71.43.53.25.2343.138%670655
44.Government Program, University of Virginia-Main Campus7.16.747%2.71.43.53.25.2343.138%670655
46.Politics, New York University3.97.766%2.61.92.32.46.8210.837%665665
47.Political Science, Florida State University2.95.973%3.01.92.52.84.0192.362%585575
48.Political Science, University of California-Davis2.87.288%2.61.92.32.63.6210.955%615565
49.Political Science, University of Pennsylvania2.18.352%2.41.63.92.77.0232.821%725705
50.Political Science, Western Michigan University0.66.789%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.225*2.9*85%625*610*
51.Political Science, Syracuse University0.36.965%2.81.10.82.86.0281.465%620595
52.Political Science, Miami University-Oxford0.26.877%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*4.025*2.9*69%625605
53.Political Science, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway0.07.368%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*7.825*2.9*61%615580
54.Political Science, Texas A & M University-0.16.269%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*4.825*2.9*70%615585
54.Political Science, University of Arizona-0.17.091%2.52.23.82.93.8203.888%565560
56.Political Science, Brown University-0.67.750%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.825*2.9*15%725710
57.Political Science, University of Illinois at Chicago-0.85.270%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.825*2.9*58%605570
58.European Studies, George Washington University-0.99.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
58.International Affairs, George Washington University-0.99.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
58.Legislative Affairs, George Washington University-0.99.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
58.Political Science, George Washington University-0.99.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
58.Security Policy Studies, George Washington University-0.99.072%2.51.71.32.66.4303.438%640640
63.Political Science & Internat'l Relations, University of Florida-2.47.568%2.31.22.52.55.2281.857%640620
64.Political Science, University of Idaho-3.04.570%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.825*2.9*83%550550
64.Diplomacy and International Commerce - D, University of Kentucky-3.07.386%2.61.84.22.45.2172.679%575565
64.Political Science - POSC, University of Kentucky-3.07.386%2.61.84.22.45.2172.679%575565
67.Political Science, University of Nebraska at Lincoln-3.15.281%2.21.61.42.32.0181.175%605595
68.Political Science, University of Iowa-3.26.850%3.31.81.63.33.2221.484%600585
69.Political Science, Georgia State University-3.65.870%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*56%550540
70.Political Science/Public Admin, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus-3.85.682%2.01.51.71.93.8242.486%625*610*
71.Political Science, Teachers College at Columbia University-3.97.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.025*2.9*55%*625*610*
72.Political Science, West Virginia University-4.36.586%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*3.025*2.9*89%545525
73.Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee-4.55.563%2.51.90.92.52.2200.889%625*610*
74.Political Science, University of South Carolina-Columbia-4.95.965%2.52.53.12.42.8152.167%580570
75.International Studies, University of Kansas Main Campus-5.76.583%2.51.10.92.33.0192.169%625*610*
75.Political Science, University of Kansas Main Campus-5.76.583%2.51.10.92.33.0192.169%625*610*
77.Political Science, University of California-Santa Barbara-6.37.862%2.62.01.62.76.0223.653%600580
78.Political Science, Loyola University Chicago-6.67.775%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*3.025*2.9*74%585590
79.Political Science, Vanderbilt University-6.87.275%2.31.10.42.32.8141.635%695675
80.Political Science, The New School-8.28.368%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*4.825*2.9*51%560565
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
81.Political Science, Purdue University-Main Campus-8.36.767%2.20.80.22.47.0291.385%590555
82.Political Science, SUNY at Binghamton-8.55.773%2.40.80.92.33.2174.943%650615
83.Political Science, University of Houston-8.67.274%2.70.30.03.05.6281.581%550520
84.Public Affairs - Government, American University-8.75.950%2.21.51.32.43.2222.751%625645
85.Political Science, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus-8.87.281%2.41.20.92.34.4193.158%610580
86.Political Sci & International Relations, University of Delaware-9.38.769%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.225*2.9*47%610595
87.Political Science, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus-9.87.272%2.32.23.72.73.4162.391%560550
88.Political Science, The University of Alabama-10.06.856%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*3.425*2.9*74%565565
89.Political Science, University of Mississippi Main Campus-10.16.570%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*1.025*2.9*81%540535
90.International Relations, Florida International University-10.27.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.625*2.9*61%550555
90.Politcal Science, Florida International University-10.27.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*0.625*2.9*61%550555
92.Political Science, Colorado State University-10.56.764%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.025*2.9*88%565555
93.Political Science, University of New Mexico-Main Campus-10.77.373%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*1.625*2.9*74%535540
94.Political Science, University of Nevada-Reno-11.77.2*70%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*86%535525
95.Political Science, SUNY at Albany-11.88.073%2.31.61.32.34.0222.256%575555
95.Political Science, University of Oregon-11.86.769%2.12.04.22.23.2181.991%560555
97.Political Science, Northern Illinois University-12.46.571%2.01.10.71.85.2301.970%538520
98.Political Science, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College-12.67.275%2.02.01.52.02.8191.678%600575
98.International Relations, University of Southern California-12.66.941%2.21.31.22.34.8183.727%690665
98.Political Science, University of Southern California-12.66.941%2.21.31.22.34.8183.727%690665
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
98.Politics and International Relations, University of Southern California-12.66.941%2.21.31.22.34.8183.727%690665
102.Political Science (Doctorate Only), CUNY Graduate School and University Center-13.39.467%2.10.80.92.68.2305.255%*625*610*
103.Politics, Brandeis University-14.18.777%2.11.00.32.44.2122.740%675675
104.Political Science, Boston College-14.58.0100%1.30.60.12.01.8162.931%680655
105.Political Science, Washington State University-15.36.791%1.03.01.51.44.2132.774%560545
106.Political Science, University of Missouri-St Louis-16.29.060%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*62%575560
107.Political Science, University of Connecticut-16.68.970%2.40.70.22.35.2263.851%600585
107.Public Affairs, University of Connecticut-16.68.970%2.40.70.22.35.2263.851%600585
109.Political Science, University of Dallas-16.710.773%2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*2.425*2.9*81%595640
110.Political Science, University of California-Riverside-17.36.867%2.11.20.62.43.4191.474%565510
111.Political Science, Howard University-17.46.756%2.11.22.41.67.0183.847%565560
112.International Service, American University-18.65.950%1.90.80.31.93.2182.451%625645
113.Political Science, Wayne State University-18.88.763%2.20.71.02.04.4241.863%625*610*
114.Political Science, University of New Orleans-19.14.564%1.71.92.01.52.8113.073%545535
115.Political Science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale-21.36.329%*2.6*1.5*2.6*2.7*1.825*2.9*77%520520
116.Political Science, SUNY at Buffalo-22.67.453%2.50.80.82.12.8162.156%595565
117.Political Science, University of Massachusetts-Amherst-23.49.050%2.31.42.02.44.8212.680%575565
118.Political Science, University of Hawaii at Manoa-23.88.236%2.11.30.62.58.0265.065%570535
119.Political Science, The University of Tennessee-25.04.744%1.50.90.51.43.8172.644%555555
120.Political Science, Tulane University of Louisiana-25.97.770%*1.60.40.51.51.2143.045%680670
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.Political Science, Texas Tech University-29.46.270%0.90.70.71.22.0181.371%575555
121.Political Science, University of Missouri-Columbia-29.47.960%1.41.40.71.85.0154.283%595600
123.Political Science, University of Utah-29.79.970%*1.70.60.31.72.4272.386%625*610*
124.Politics and Policy, Claremont Graduate University-33.96.744%1.70.80.81.812.4914.755%*625*610*
125.Political Science/Public Administration, University of North Texas-35.010.167%1.71.00.81.61.8221.869%555545
126.International Relations, Boston University-35.36.730%1.10.80.11.74.8124.255%655645
126.Political Science, Boston University-35.36.730%1.10.80.11.74.8124.255%655645
128.Political Science, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-38.09.663%1.01.62.11.72.2141.977%565545
129.Political Science, Northern Arizona University-38.57.770%1.40.20.11.23.6181.886%500500
130.Political Science, Kent State University-Kent Campus-39.67.2*70%*1.20.80.41.11.6141.994%515515
131.International Political Economy & Dev, Fordham University-42.29.264%1.10.60.71.12.8144.850%590600
131.Political Science, Fordham University-42.29.264%1.10.60.71.12.8144.850%590600
133.Political Science, Temple University-46.09.850%1.30.40.21.53.8193.763%550540
134.Political Science, Idaho State University-48.15.745%0.30.10.60.31.872.955%*625*610*
135.Politics, Catholic University of America-51.88.238%1.00.30.11.04.0123.482%565580
136.Political Science, Clark Atlanta University-54.29.583%0.80.10.00.64.495.647%470462

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. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -2. 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.