Political Science major
Political Science: courses, careers, and where to study
Political Science studies governments, political behavior, and policy — preparing graduates for law school, public service, journalism, and policy research.
A Political Science major covers American government, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and political methodology. Programs typically require a research methods sequence (statistics, survey research, or formal modeling) and a senior thesis. Subfields include public policy, public law, political economy, and international security.
Political Science is a common pre-law major. Graduates also work in government, campaigns, journalism, advocacy, foundations, and think tanks. The major pairs naturally with Economics, History, or a foreign language.
What you'll study
- American politics and government
- Comparative politics across countries and systems
- International relations and foreign policy
- Political theory (classical and contemporary)
- Public policy analysis
- Quantitative methods for political research
- Constitutional law
- Senior thesis
Typical careers
- Policy Analyst
- Legislative Aide
- Lawyer (with JD)
- Foreign Service Officer
- Campaign Manager
- Journalist
Starting salary range: $48,000–$72,000 starting (varies widely by sector)
Find a Political Science program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Political Science programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting — no account required.
Political Science by state
- Political Science in California
- Political Science in Florida
- Political Science in Georgia
- Political Science in Illinois
- Political Science in Maryland
- Political Science in Massachusetts
- Political Science in New York
- Political Science in North Carolina
- Political Science in Pennsylvania
- Political Science in Texas
Related majors
Economics
Economics studies how individuals, firms, and governments allocate resources — combining theory with empirical analysis and a strong mathematical foundation.
History
History trains graduates in research, evidence, and argument — feeding into law, education, museums, government, and any field that values long-form analytical writing.
Sociology
Sociology studies social institutions, group behavior, inequality, and culture — preparing graduates for research, policy, social services, and graduate school in law or social work.
Pre-Law
Pre-Law isn't a major itself but a track — students major in any field while taking the courses, building the GPA, and earning the LSAT score for law school admission.