I’m trying to find schools that are good political science, government, or international relations schools.
So far my list is:
–Georgetown
–Harvard
–Stanford
–Tufts
–Princeton
–Johns Hopkins
Does anyone know of more schools that have very good political science/government/IR programs for undergrads? I’ve tried looking it up but there doesn’t seem to be definitive rankings done. Thanks!
Schools either in Washington or with semester long programs in Washington often have strong programs in government and public policy. Colleges that also have some type of “public affairs center” or similar sounding resource on campus may have additionally strong commitments to your fields of interest.
GW
http://www.anselm.edu/Institutes-Centers-and-the-Arts/NH-Institute-of-Politics.htm
Sometimes you find really impressive things where you don’t expect them. This is a very highly regarded program.
Tufts, Johns Hopkins, and American University all have strong International Relations programs.
UCSD’s poli sci department is terrific.
Just google this. You’ll get multiple lists from various sources which you can cross-reference.
GWU is a top ten and gives good merit
Bowdoin and Claremont McKenna are particularly strong among liberal arts colleges. Washington & Lee places very well into DC, but a quirky kid who likes Tufts may not feel at ease there.
For a less selective university option, U Rochester. William & Mary (for VA residents), Syracuse, and American are also popular for those fields.
That said…
Political science is one of the most popular liberal arts majors these days, and most good colleges have perfectly adequate programs. DC is usually one of the top two or three most popular destinations for graduates of top colleges (NYC is the other big draw). There are many good options available.
Notre Dame…stemming from Hesburgh’s intimate relationships with Presidents, 16 Presidential appointments, and world leaders. It has one of the largest and best known faculties in political science in the country. The school has been among the most active in public policy since the 1950’s.
From “The 10 Best Colleges for a Major in Political Science” / USA Today
For purely undergraduate focused colleges, consider, as appropriate for you: Amherst, Bates, Carleton, Davidson, Dickinson, Gettysburg, Hamilton, Kenyon, Macalester, Vassar.
take a look at Holy Cross-alumni include Chris Matthews, 1 Supreme CT Justice, 1 Senator, 3-4 Congressman.
Syracuse. Facility teach at both the undergrad and graduate school. Grad school has been #1 in ranking for years.
Political Science and International Relations/Government are not the same. The latter is only one component of the former. Political Science is a far broader, and usually more theoretical, field that International Relations/Government.
International Relations/Government (those with asterisks next to them are particularly strong):
American University *
Claremont McKenna College
Columbia University *
Cornell University
George Washington University *
Georgetown University *
Harvard University *
Johns Hopkins University
Princeton University *
Stanford University *
Tufts University *
University of California-Berkeley
University of Chicago *
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Yale University *
Political Science (those with asterisks next to them are particularly strong):
Columbia University *
Cornell University
Duke University *
Harvard University *
Massachusetts Institute of Technology *
New York University
Princeton University *
Stanford University *
University of California-Berkeley *
University of California-Los Angeles *
University of California-San Diego *
University of Chicago *
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor *
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Rochester
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Washington University-St Louis
Georgetown, Harvard, Duke, Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Chicago, Stanford, Columbia
USN’s Top 10 Political Sciences Programs:
-Harvard
-Princeton
-Stanford
-UMichigan Ann Arbor
-Yale
-UC Berkeley
-Colombia
-MIT
-UC San Diego
-Duke
Those (#14) are graduate school rankings.