Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
$10,670 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 3 bachelor’s programs shown here.
Delaware · Political Science Rankings · 2027 
Best Political Science Programs in Delaware for 2027
Delaware State University in Dover and Wilmington University in New Castle complete the three-school bachelor’s list. Of the 114 political science degrees the ranked programs awarded in 2023–24, 97 were University of Delaware bachelor’s degrees.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Delaware
3 schools in Delaware awarded political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 991 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
University of Delaware
Political Science (BA)
74.2 Comparison ScoreDelaware’s political science BA requires 30 to 45 credits in POSC, starting with American politics, global politics and Research Methods for Political Science, plus one introduction in public policy, politics and social justice, comparative politics or political theory. Eighteen upper-level credits follow, nine at the 400 level, and you need at least one 300 or 400-level course in three of four fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. One internship, independent study, undergraduate research or capstone internship can count toward those 18 hours, and the internship, research and capstone options also meet the Discovery Learning Experience requirement. The program awarded 97 degrees in 2023–24.
- Research Methods
- Research Methods for Political Science (POSC 300)
- Field Breadth
- A 300 or 400-level course in three of four fields
- Experiential Options
- Internship, independent study, undergraduate research or capstone internship
Program Sources: POLITICAL SCIENCE (BA)POLITICAL SCIENCE (BA)
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 97 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 83% 4,233 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $66,224 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $16,810 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $41,400 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 2
Delaware State University
Political Science, BA
37.0 Comparison ScoreDelaware State’s political science BA teaches the field through a multicultural and multidisciplinary lens, with material drawn from philosophy, law, economics, sociology and history. The sample plan runs from Introduction to Political Science and American National Government through Contemporary Political Ideologies, Comparative Government, Research Methods and International Politics, then ends in a Senior Capstone (POLS 475) and political science electives. You also take two semesters of a foreign language, and majors can minor in Africana Studies, Law Studies or Philosophy. The department describes itself as small and intimate, so you work closely with professors. It awarded 8 degrees in 2023–24.
- Required Sequence
- Intro to Political Science, American National Government, Comparative Government, Research Methods and International Politics
- Capstone
- Senior Capstone (POLS 475)
- Minors
- Africana Studies, Law Studies or Philosophy
Program Sources: Political Science, BA | College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at Delaware StatePolitical Science 2025 Degree Plan
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 8 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 39% 1,005 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $53,838 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $10,670 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $20,634 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
Wilmington University
Law, Policy, and Political Science, Bachelor of Science
32.5 Comparison ScoreAt Wilmington, political science is a concentration inside the Bachelor of Science in Law, Policy, and Political Science, alongside legal studies and government and public policy. The concentration core is 24 credits: Introduction to Public Administration, State and Local Government, American Legal History, Constitutional Law and Procedures, Comparative Government and Politics, International Organization and Politics, Public Policy and Social Issues, and either a research and writing course or a Public Policy Internship. You then choose six directed electives from topics such as cyberlaw, education policy, energy and environmental policy and health care policy. Core courses need a C- or better. The program awarded 6 degrees in 2023–24.
- Concentration Core
- Twenty-four credits from public administration to international organization and politics
- Internship Option
- Public Policy Internship (POL 490) in place of a research and writing course
- Directed Electives
- Six courses such as cyberlaw, education policy and energy and environmental policy
Program Sources: Law, Policy, and Political Science, Bachelor of ScienceLaw, Policy, and Political Science, Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 6 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 22% 201 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,630 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,630 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Political Science PhD Programs in Delaware
1 school in Delaware awarded research doctorates in political science in 2023–24. Doctoral scores leave out tuition because funding offers, not sticker price, decide the real cost.
- 1
University of Delaware
Political Science and International Relations (PhD)
53.3 Comparison ScoreDelaware’s political science and international relations PhD front-loads coursework into the first six semesters, followed by dissertation research and writing, and you earn an M.A. along the way because the department does not offer a terminal master’s degree. Study is organized around American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. You choose one as your primary field and a second as your secondary field, or you can take Methods as the secondary field. The department lists field descriptions for American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory and law.
- Timeline
- Coursework in the first six semesters, then dissertation research and writing
- Field Structure
- A primary subfield plus a secondary subfield or Methods
- Master’s Degree
- An M.A. is earned along the way
Program Sources: Political Science and International Relations (PhD)Political Science and International Relations (PhD)
- Doctoral Degrees Awarded
- 3 Political Science, 2023–24
- Research Designation
- R1 Institution, Carnegie 2025
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $20,304 Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $20,304 Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Political Science Programs in Delaware at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 3 2 public, 1 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 3 111 degrees in 2023–24
- Doctoral Programs
- 1 3 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $10,670 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Political Science Programs in Delaware
Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national political science model, calculated against the nationwide group that meets the numeric and directory criteria. We then order Delaware’s eligible programs by that score within each degree level. This page features up to 10 programs, taking the next highest-ranked program from each degree-level list in turn. Scores are compared only within the same degree level. Bachelor’s lists weigh graduation rate (20%), published tuition (20%), graduate earnings (20%), program reputation (25%), and degrees awarded (15%). Doctoral lists weigh research activity (35%), program reputation (35%), and doctoral degrees awarded (30%). Read how state lists are built.
Best Political Science Schools in Delaware by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Political Science Bachelor’s Graduates
97 political science bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.
Top-Scoring Private College
The highest-scoring private school on the bachelor’s list (No. 3 overall), with a comparison score of 32.5.
Graduate Study at an R1 University
Carries the Carnegie 2025 Research 1 designation for very high research spending and doctorate production.
Top-Scoring Political Science Doctorate
3 research doctorates awarded in 2023–24; ranked first of 1 doctoral program shown here.
One University Awards Most Political Science Degrees in Delaware
The score gap between first and second place is wide. The University of Delaware scores 74.2 for bachelor’s study, while Delaware State University scores 37.0 and Wilmington University 32.5. Program size follows the same order: 97 bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24 at the University of Delaware, 8 at Delaware State, and 6 at Wilmington University. Schoolwide graduation rates, which cover all majors, also fall in rank order at 83%, 39%, and 22%. The lowest in-state price belongs to the school ranked second, not first.
Residency changes the cost order. For state residents, 2024–25 schoolwide tuition and required fees run from $10,670 at Delaware State University to $16,810 at the University of Delaware. Out-of-state students pay $41,400 at the University of Delaware and $20,634 at Delaware State, while Wilmington University, the only private school here, charges $12,630 regardless of residence.
Political Science Careers and Pay in Delaware
These are BLS median annual wages for Delaware and the United States from the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. A median is the midpoint among workers in the occupation, from new hires to senior staff, so it is not a starting salary for a new graduate. The 10th–90th percentile range shows what the middle 80% of workers earn in the state.
| Occupation | Delaware Median | Delaware 10th–90th Percentile | U.S. Median | Delaware Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistants | $68,230 | $40,400–$96,770 | $61,990 | 40 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $67,110 | $52,120–$101,680 | $89,320 | 290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Political Science Programs in Delaware: Common Questions
How Many Schools in Delaware Appear in These Political Science Rankings?
3 schools in Delaware appear in the lists shown here (3 bachelor’s, 1 research doctorate programs). A school can appear at more than one degree level. The degree counts come from federal IPEDS completions for 2023–24.
Which Political Science Bachelor’s Program in Delaware Has the Lowest Tuition?
Delaware State University lists $10,670 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents in 2024–25, the lowest among the bachelor’s programs shown here. That is a schoolwide figure before aid, so check the program’s own costs and any fees for fieldwork or labs.
Which Schools in Delaware Reported Political Science Research Doctorates in 2023–24?
The federal IPEDS completions file records political science research doctorates awarded in 2023–24 at University of Delaware (3 degrees). These are historical award counts. Check current admissions, advisor availability, and funding directly with each department.
How Do Delaware Wages Compare in Jobs Related to Political Science?
In May 2025 data, social science research assistants in Delaware earned a median of $68,230, above the $61,990 national median, though only 40 held the job statewide. Urban and regional planners earned a Delaware median of $67,110 against $89,320 nationally. These are occupation medians, not starting salaries for new graduates.
Where Can I Compare Political Science Research Doctorates in Delaware?
University of Delaware is the ranked political science research doctorate program on the Delaware list. It reported 3 research doctorates in 2023–24. Read the doctoral program’s research areas and advisor information before you apply. Degree awards describe past graduates, not the size of the next entering cohort.
Sources for This Page
- IPEDS C2024_A completions: first-major degrees awarded by field and level, 2023–24.
- IPEDS COST1_2024: tuition and required fees, 2024–25.
- IPEDS DRVGR2024: schoolwide graduation rates.
- Carnegie 2025 Research Activity Designations.
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates.
- SocialSciences.org ranking methodology.