Best Political Science Colleges in California

We have created a 2021 ranking of the best colleges in California that offer Political Science degrees to help you find a school that fits your needs. Each school's ranking is based on the compilation of our data from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review. In addition, you can view our entire list of all 141 Political Science schools located within California. We also provide reviews, facts, and questions and answers for schools on our site and offer you access to get valuable information from colleges and universities today.
Best Political Science Colleges in California for 2021
Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
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1 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA |
When people think of Cal, liberal student activism often comes to mind. Berkeley gained national attention in 1964 for The Free Speech Movement, a student protest in response to the administration’s ban on political activity. Since then, Cal students have been vocal about various other causes, ranging from women’s rights to ending apartheid in South Africa. So as you might imagine, political science students here tend to be passionate. And the department gives them plenty to be excited about – over 100 courses at the undergraduate and graduate level throughout the academic year. Yes, you’ll find traditional intro courses that provide necessary fundamentals. But you also might choose a class such as “When Government Partners with Business – Baseball, Football, Basketball and Museums” or “Latinos and the U.S. Political System.” The knowledge gained will certainly help you carry on the proud Cal tradition of producing inquisitive, active citizens like alums U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren and Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee. | Based on 140 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Berkeley Reviews
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2 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
University of California-Los Angeles offers 5 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 665 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 640 Bachelor's degrees, 15 Doctoral degrees, 10 Master's degrees. | Based on 88 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Los Angeles Reviews
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3 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA |
University of California-San Diego offers 4 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 186 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 156 Bachelor's degrees, 15 Master's degrees, and 15 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 36 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-San Diego Reviews
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4 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA |
University of California-Irvine offers 4 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 347 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 332 Bachelor's degrees, 8 Doctoral degrees, and 7 Master's degrees. | Based on 16 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Irvine Reviews
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5 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA |
University of California-Santa Barbara offers 4 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized suburb. In 2015, 288 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 276 Bachelor's degrees, 7 Doctoral degrees, and 5 Master's degrees. | Based on 52 Reviews | ||
6 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA |
University of California-Davis offers 4 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large public university in a small suburb. In 2015, 255 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 244 Bachelor's degrees, 7 Master's degrees, and 4 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 92 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Davis Reviews
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7 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA |
Stanford University offers 4 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 61 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 44 Bachelor's degrees, 10 Doctoral degrees, and 7 Master's degrees. | Based on 64 Reviews |
Read more: Stanford University Reviews
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8 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA |
University of Southern California offers 2 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 145 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 145 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 52 Reviews |
Read more: University of Southern California Reviews
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9 | University of California-Riverside | Riverside, CA |
University of California-Riverside offers 4 Political Science Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 174 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 164 Bachelor's degrees, 7 Doctoral degrees, and 3 Master's degrees. | Based on 12 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Riverside Reviews
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10 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA |
Santa Clara University offers 2 Political Science Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 118 students graduated in the study area of Political Science with students earning 118 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 20 Reviews |
Read more: Santa Clara University Reviews
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List of all Political Science Colleges in California
School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA |
3/5
|
21 : 1 | 38,189 |
|
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA |
3/5
|
12 : 1 | 41,908 |
|
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA |
3/5
|
15 : 1 | 32,906 |
|
University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA |
3/5
|
17 : 1 | 30,836 |
|
University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
3/5
|
24 : 1 | 23,497 |
|
University of California-Davis Davis, CA |
3/5
|
15 : 1 | 35,186 |
|
Stanford University Stanford, CA |
5/5
|
6 : 1 | 16,980 |
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 43,401 |
|
University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA |
3/5
|
24 : 1 | 21,385 |
|
Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 8,680 |
|
University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA |
3/5
|
27 : 1 | 17,868 |
|
Occidental College Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 2,023 |
|
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA |
2/5
|
27 : 1 | 37,446 |
|
San Diego State University San Diego, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 34,254 |
|
California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA |
5/5
|
7 : 1 | 2,255 |
|
Pepperdine University Malibu, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 7,632 |
|
Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 1,349 |
|
Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
13 : 1 | 9,392 |
|
Chapman University Orange, CA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 8,305 |
|
Pomona College Claremont, CA |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 1,663 |
|
University of San Diego San Diego, CA |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 8,251 |
|
California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA |
2/5
|
30 : 1 | 38,948 |
|
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA |
3/5
|
23 : 1 | 20,944 |
|
University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 10,797 |
|
California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA |
2/5
|
32 : 1 | 41,548 |
Find Local Colleges with Political Science Majors in California
Additional Political Science Degree Facts for California Schools
California Schools offering online Political Science degrees
Online Political Science degrees are available at a variety of different schools with as many as 23 degrees earned at the most popular school. Read more below about all schools that have offered online Political Science degrees. If you are interested learning more about getting a degree online, check out our page dedicated to online degree information.
School Name | Certificate | Associate's | Bachelor's | Master's | Doctoral |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California Baptist University | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
National University | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
San Joaquin Delta College | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- 1 Associate's
- 2 Bachelor's
What Political Science degree programs were earned in California?
Degree Level | Program Length | Colleges | Graduates |
---|---|---|---|
Associate's | 2-year Length | 72 Colleges | 735 Graduates |
Bachelor's | 4-year Length | 69 Colleges | 5,062 Graduates |
Certificates | < 1 year Length | 7 Colleges | 33 Graduates |
Doctoral | 1-2 year Length | 11 Colleges | 102 Graduates |
Master's | 1+ years Length | 21 Colleges | 124 Graduates |