The best universities for political science in 2026 are Harvard University, Princeton University, and the London School of Economics (LSE). According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, the USA and UK dominate globally in politics and international studies. Political science graduates pursue careers in government, diplomacy, NGOs, think tanks, consulting, and journalism.
What Are the Top Universities for Political Science in 2026?
According to the QS World University Rankings 2026 and Times Higher Education subject rankings, the following institutions represent the world’s leading programs. Rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, and international faculty and student diversity.
| # | University | Location | Global Ranking | Degrees Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | Cambridge, USA | #1 QS Politics | AB, MPA, PhD |
| 2 | Princeton University | Princeton, USA | #2 QS Politics | AB, MPA, PhD |
| 3 | London School of Economics | London, UK | #3 QS Politics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 4 | Yale University | New Haven, USA | #4 QS Politics | BA, MA, PhD |
| 5 | University of Oxford | Oxford, UK | #5 QS Politics | BA, MPhil, DPhil |
| 6 | Stanford University | Stanford, USA | #6 QS Politics | BA, MA, PhD |
| 7 | Columbia University | New York, USA | #7 QS Politics | BA, MIA, PhD |
| 8 | MIT | Cambridge, USA | #8 QS Politics | BS, SM, PhD |
| 9 | Georgetown University | Washington DC, USA | #9 QS Politics | BS, MA, PhD |
| 10 | University of Cambridge | Cambridge, UK | #10 QS Politics | BA, MPhil, PhD |
| 11 | Sciences Po | Paris, France | #11 QS Politics | BA, MA, PhD |
| 12 | University of Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | #12 QS Politics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 13 | University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada | #13 QS Politics | BA, MA, PhD |
| 14 | Johns Hopkins SAIS | Washington DC, USA | #14 QS Politics | MA, PhD |
| 15 | Australian National University | Canberra, Australia | #15 QS Politics | BA, MA, PhD |
| 16 | University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh, UK | #16 QS Politics | MA, MSc, PhD |
| 17 | University of Copenhagen | Copenhagen, Denmark | #17 QS Politics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 18 | National University of Singapore | Singapore | #18 QS Politics | BA, MA, PhD |
| 19 | University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan | #19 QS Politics | BA, MA, PhD |
| 20 | Leiden University | Leiden, Netherlands | #20 QS Politics | BA, MSc, PhD |
Source: Compiled from QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2026, and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Last updated: February 2026.
What Are the Best Countries to Study Political Science?
The choice of country significantly impacts your education quality, career opportunities, and post-graduation prospects. Here are the top destinations based on program quality, affordability, and career outcomes:
| Country | Why Study Here |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | Harvard Kennedy School, Princeton SPIA, Georgetown; proximity to Washington DC and UN New York |
| 🇬🇧 UK | LSE global IR hub; Oxford PPE degree; Cambridge; proximity to Westminster and international NGOs |
| 🇫🇷 France | Sciences Po Paris – premier European political science institution; EU institutions proximity |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Leiden, Amsterdam, Utrecht; International Criminal Court in The Hague; EU proximity |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Graduate Institute Geneva; UN Office, ICRC, WHO HQ; ideal for international relations |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ANU strong in Asia-Pacific politics; Lowy Institute proximity; growing diplomacy programs |
What Are the Career Prospects for Political Science Graduates?
Political science graduates pursue diverse careers in government (civil service, legislature, executive offices), diplomacy and foreign affairs, NGOs and international organizations (UN, EU, World Bank), think tanks and policy institutes, journalism and media, consulting, law (political science is excellent pre-law preparation), and electoral politics. The ability to analyze complex systems, write clearly, and understand institutions is universally valued. Salaries range from $45,000 (entry-level government) to $200,000+ (senior consulting, lobbying, or executive positions).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the career options with a political science degree?
Political science graduates work in government service, diplomacy, NGOs, international organizations (UN, EU, World Bank), think tanks, political consulting, lobbying, journalism, law, business, and academia. The degree’s emphasis on analysis, writing, and understanding institutions makes graduates versatile across sectors.
Is political science a good degree?
Yes, particularly combined with a specific skill set (quantitative methods, foreign languages, area expertise). Political science alumni include heads of state, Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, CEOs, and Pulitzer Prize winners. It’s an excellent pre-law degree and provides strong preparation for policy and graduate programs.
What is the difference between political science and international relations?
Political science studies political systems, behavior, institutions, and theory broadly. International relations focuses specifically on relationships between countries, foreign policy, international organizations, and global governance. Many universities combine both in joint programs (Politics and International Relations – PIR).
Do I need a master’s degree in political science?
For government and NGO entry-level positions, a bachelor’s is often sufficient. For competitive positions at the UN, EU institutions, or major think tanks, a master’s (MPA, MPP, or MA/MSc in International Relations) is typically expected. For academic careers, a PhD is required.
What is Sciences Po Paris?
Sciences Po (Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris) is France’s premier social science institution and one of the world’s top universities for political science and international relations. Alumni include French presidents, European commissioners, and global leaders. Its Paris campus and regional campuses offer highly competitive programs with strong international focus.
Is Geneva good for international relations?
Excellent. Geneva hosts the UN Office, WHO, ICRC, WTO, and over 200 international organizations, making it the world’s capital of diplomacy. The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) and Webster University offer leading IR programs with direct access to international organizations for internships and networking.
Data and rankings on this page are based on the latest available figures from QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, and subject-specific accreditation bodies. Last verified: February 2026.
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