Top Political Science PhD Programs

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Top Political Science PhD Programs

Are you interested to do PhD in political science? Political science is a discipline that combines history, current events, and analysis. Our comprehensive list of Top Political Science Ph.D. Programs allows prospective students to find vital information about their desired field, including the number of schools, programs, and more.

Through our list below, you can learn about top university’s departments of political science which offer a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. So go ahead, check out our full list & choose the best one for your education. Good Luck!!

University of California San Diego

Founded in 1903, The University of California, San Diego is a public research university has a Department of Political Science. The Ph.D. program in Political Science at the University of California, San Diego is consistently recognized as one of the top ten programs in the nation. Each year, from 15-20 new graduate students enter the program and spend an average of five years earning the Ph.D. They also offer students many opportunities to attend colloquia that feature presentations by faculty, outside speakers, and dissertation candidates.

Founded In: 1903
Ranking: 1st
Tuition & Fees: In-state: $14,028 Out-of-state: $42,042
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: (858) 534-2705
Website: https://polisci.ucsd.edu/grad/index.html

Top Political Science PhD Programs

Washington University in St. Louis

Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university has a Department of Political Science. The doctoral program in political science at Washington University is one of the top programs in the country. Its graduate program is relatively small. We admit around eight students into the Ph.D. program each year, and most of these complete the doctorate, generally in four to five years.  Washington University’s Ph.D. program in political science is designed to prepare students for academic careers in research and teaching at major institutions across the country.

Founded In: 1853
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition & Fees: 50,650 USD
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: 63130-4899
Website: https://polisci.wustl.edu/graduate

Harvard University

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university has a Graduate School of Arts and Science. Its dedication to excellence in all fields of political science and their encouragement of diverse approaches are evident in both our faculty and our curriculum. This fusion of the best of traditional and contemporary political science is illustrated by the roster of departmental faculty members.

Founded In: 1636
Ranking: 3rd
Tuition & Fees: 44,990 USD
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: 617-495-5315
Website: https://gsas.harvard.edu/programs-of-study/all/government

Top Political Science PhD Programs

New York University

Founded in 1831, New York University is now one of the largest private universities has a Department of Politics. It offers courses in political theory, quantitative and formal political analysis, American politics, comparative politics, and international politics. They encourage a truly scientific inquiry into politics that informs a critical discussion of political institutions and a rigorous approach to effecting positive political change.

Founded In: 1831
Ranking: 4th
Tuition & Fees:  51,828 USD
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 212-998-1212
Website: http://cas.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/cas/academic-programs/bulletin/departments-and-programs/department-of-politics.html

University of California, Los Angeles

Founded in 1919, The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university has a Department of Politics.  UCLA offers one of the world’s foremost research libraries, exceptional computing facilities, and an extensive network of interdisciplinary centers and institutes that foster linkages across disciplinary boundaries. Among these interdisciplinary concentrations are the political economy, American political development, race and politics, and the philosophical, historical, and literary dimensions of political theory.

Founded In: 1919
Ranking: 5th
Tuition & Fees:  In-state: $13,749 Out-of-state: $41,763
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 310-825-4321
Website: https://www.polisci.ucla.edu/graduate

Top Political Science PhD Programs

University of Michigan

Founded in 1817, The University of Michigan is a public research university has a Department of Politics. The graduate program in Political Science at the University of Michigan is a Ph.D. program intended to develop scholars who manifest a high level of excellence in teaching and research as professional social scientists. It is distinguished by a wide variety of areas of specialization and ample opportunity to tailor programs to fit the needs and interests of individual students.

Founded In: 1817
Ranking: 6th
Tuition & Fees:  In-state: $14,826 Out-of-state: $47,476
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: (734) 764-6313
Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/polisci/graduates.html

University of Minnesota

Founded in 1851, The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university. The graduate program offers a rich array of courses distributed among the fields of American politics, comparative politics, international politics, political theory, political economy, political psychology, human rights, and political methodology. Students leaving the program are well prepared to teach and conduct research in each field with a good blend of general and specialized training.

Founded In: 1851
Ranking: 7th
Tuition & Fees:  In-state: $14,417 Out-of-state: $26,603
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: 612-624-4144
Website: https://cla.umn.edu/polisci/phd-political-science

Top Political Science PhD Programs

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Founded in 1789, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university has a Department of Political Science. The political science graduate program is small and very selective. The department also offers courses of study leading to the Master of Arts in political science, the Master of Arts in political science with a certificate in Latin American studies, and a master of arts in political science through the TransAtlantic Masters (TAM) program.

Founded In: 1851
Ranking: 8th
Tuition & Fees:  8,898 USD
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 919-962-2211
Website: http://catalog.unc.edu/graduate/schools-departments/political-science/

University of Pittsburgh 

Founded in 1787, The University of Pittsburgh is a state-related research university has a Department of Political Science. The Ph.D. program in political science is a five- to six- year program; in which students receive an M.A. in political science as part of their work toward the Ph.D. Students in the Ph.D. program must choose two fields from the six departmental fields: American politics, comparative politics, world politics, political methodology, mass political behavior, and normative theory.

Founded In: 1787
Ranking: 9th
Tuition & Fees:  19,435 USD
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: 412-648-7250
Website: https://www.polisci.pitt.edu/graduate/phd-requirements

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