Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
University of Maine at Farmington
$11,308 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 7 bachelor’s programs shown here.
Maine · Political Science Rankings · 2027 
Best Political Science Programs in Maine for 2027
Seven Maine schools have ranked political science programs, four private and three public, all at the bachelor’s level. Bowdoin College ranks first and awarded 60 of the state’s 222 political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24. The University of Maine places fourth and is the top-scoring public school, behind Bowdoin, Colby College, and Bates College.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Maine
7 schools in Maine awarded political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 991 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
Bowdoin College
Government and Legal Studies Major
76.3 Comparison ScoreBowdoin’s Government and Legal Studies major is nine courses with a depth requirement built in. You pick one subfield as your field of concentration, from American politics, political theory, comparative politics or international relations, take at least four courses in it including one at the 3000 level, and then take at least one course in each of the other three subfields. No more than two courses may be at the 1000 level. Honors normally means two semesters of advanced independent study on an honors paper, which usually pushes the total to at least ten courses in the department. A 2023–24 total of 60 degrees puts it among the larger programs on its state page.
- Field of Concentration
- Four courses in one subfield, including a 3000-level course
- Subfield Breadth
- At least one course in each of the other three subfields
- Honors Path
- Honors paper from two semesters of advanced independent study
Program Sources: Requirements | Government and Legal Studies, Bowdoin College
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 60 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 95% 508 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $89,253 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $67,832 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $67,832 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 2
Colby College
Government
73.3 Comparison ScoreColby’s government major starts with three required 100-level courses, Government 111, 131 and 171, adds an introductory comparative course, and ends with a 400-level senior seminar. The methods requirement can be met with Government 281 or with Psychology 214 and 215 or Sociology 271, though methods courses from other departments do not count toward the ten government courses the major needs. The department recommends finishing the 100-level requirements by the end of sophomore year, and it offers two fellowships for majors who take an internship or a significant research project. Colby’s 2023–24 total was 37 degrees.
- Required Courses
- Government 111, 131 and 171, an introductory comparative course and a 400-level seminar
- Methods Requirement
- Government 281, or Psychology 214 and 215, or Sociology 271
- Fellowships
- Two for majors doing an internship or significant research project
Program Sources: Government Requirements | Colby College
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 37 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 89% 580 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $96,621 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $69,600 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $69,600 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
Bates College
Politics Major
70.3 Comparison ScoreBates structures the Politics major in three stages across eleven courses. Foundations is three 100-level courses, ideally finished by the end of sophomore year. Exploration is five courses at the 200 or 300 level. Research Development and Application is three courses, two of them 300-level seminars and one the senior thesis. Only one course in the major can be taken pass/fail, and it must be at the 100 or 200 level. Courses from outside the department or from off-campus study can fill at most two Exploration slots, and at least seven of the eleven courses must be taken on the Bates campus. Bates conferred 43 degrees in 2023–24.
- Three Stages
- Foundations, Exploration, and Research Development and Application
- Seminars and Thesis
- Two 300-level seminars plus the senior thesis
- Campus Residency
- At least seven of the eleven courses taken at Bates
Program Sources: Requirements for Classes Starting in 2027 | Bates Politics
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 43 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 90% 543 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $80,714 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $66,590 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $66,590 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 4
University of Maine
Political Science, B.A.
58.6 Comparison ScoreMaine asks for POS 100, American Government, and at least 36 credits in political science, spread across six credits each in American politics, international relations, comparative politics and political theory, plus 12 credits of electives. At least 21 of those 36 credits must sit at the 300 level or higher. Internship and field credit is capped at 6 credits toward the major. Students can apply for the Palmer State Legislative Internship Program in Augusta or the Maine Public Policy Scholars program, and the department inducts high-achieving students into Pi Sigma Alpha. Orono conferred 44 degrees in 2023–24.
- Subfield Distribution
- 6 credits each in American politics, international relations, comparative politics and political theory
- Legislative Internship
- Palmer State Legislative Internship Program in Augusta
- Upper-Level Credits
- At least 21 of 36 credits at the 300 level or higher
Program Sources: Political Science, B.A. | University of Maine
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 44 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 55% 2,297 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $58,303 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $13,326 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $36,756 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 5
University of Southern Maine
Political Science
51.7 Comparison ScoreSouthern Maine lets you shape the major around either the Political Science Track or the International Studies Track. The major covers American government, political theory, international relations, comparative politics and research methodology, and internships connect work experience to social science frameworks. Only the Political Science Track qualifies for the accelerated graduate pathways to the Policy, Planning, and Management master’s program and to the University of Maine School of Law. You can also spend a semester abroad at an exchange university and join the Maine Model United Nations Program’s annual conference, a United Nations simulation focused on resolving conflict. USM conferred 25 degrees in 2023–24.
- Tracks
- Political Science Track or International Studies Track
- Graduate Pathways
- Policy, Planning, and Management master’s or University of Maine School of Law
- Simulation
- Maine Model United Nations Program annual conference
Program Sources: Political Science | University of Southern Maine
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 25 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 40% 917 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $65,836 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,090 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $29,940 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 6
University of Maine at Farmington
Political Science
39.9 Comparison ScoreFarmington’s political science classes regularly host guests from State legislators and local officials to attorneys and members of Congress, and students come away with contacts that have led some to run for school boards and the state legislature. Majors organize campus events, attend conferences and take educational trips to Washington, D.C. Recent internships include the offices of Sen. Angus King and Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Indigent Defense Center, and the Town of Union. A 3+3 Accelerated Pre-Law Program lets qualified students earn a UMF bachelor’s and a University of Maine School of Law degree in six years instead of seven. Farmington conferred 8 degrees in 2023–24.
- Guest Speakers
- State legislators, local officials, attorneys, U.S. Senators and Congresspeople
- Pre-Law Pathway
- 3+3 Accelerated Pre-Law Program with the University of Maine School of Law
- Internship Sites
- Washington offices, Maine legal groups and local government
Program Sources: Political Science | University of Maine at Farmington
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 8 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 52% 390 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $11,308 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $23,878 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 7
University of New England
Political Science, B.A.
36.1 Comparison ScoreUNE’s political science major pairs a broad introduction with a defined research finish. You start with Introduction to Political Science or Politics as Social Science, then take one introductory course each in American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory, and an advanced course in the first three. Three PSC electives follow, at least one at the 300 or 400 level, and the major ends with a Senior Seminar and a PSC 491 Integrative Essay. A pre-law emphasis offers special advising, and majors can choose the EDU courses for social studies teacher certification in grades 7 to 12. Five degrees were awarded in 2023–24.
- Final Sequence
- PSC 490 Senior Seminar and PSC 491 Integrative Essay
- Pre-Law Emphasis
- Special advising for students planning law school
- Teaching Option
- EDU electives toward social studies certification for grades 7 to 12
Program Sources: Political Science | University of New England Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 5 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 70% 594 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $44,210 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $44,210 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Political Science Programs in Maine at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 7 3 public, 4 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 7 222 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $11,308 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Political Science Programs in Maine
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 Maine’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%). See the full ranking method.
Best Political Science Schools in Maine by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Political Science Bachelor’s Graduates
60 political science bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.
Top-Scoring Public University
The highest-scoring public school on the bachelor’s list (No. 4 overall), with a comparison score of 58.6.
Three Private Colleges Lead Maine’s Political Science Rankings
Bowdoin College leads on both score (76.3) and size. The University of Maine is the top-ranked public school: it places fourth at 58.6, awarded 44 degrees, more than Bates College (43) or Colby College (37), and charges residents $13,326 in schoolwide 2024–25 tuition and fees. The three private colleges charge $66,590 to $69,600. The gap shows up in completion. The University of Maine reports a schoolwide graduation rate of 55 percent, while Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby report 89 to 95 percent, and none of these figures is specific to political science.
Rank and program size line up lower on the list. The University of Southern Maine places fifth at 51.7, and its 25 degrees awarded in 2023–24 (a count of graduates, not enrollment) exceed the totals at the sixth-ranked University of Maine at Farmington (8) and the seventh-ranked University of New England (5).
Political Science Careers and Pay in Maine
These are BLS median annual wages for Maine 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 | Maine Median | Maine 10th–90th Percentile | U.S. Median | Maine Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistants | $50,650 | $41,870–$66,990 | $61,990 | 120 |
| Survey Researchers | $47,330 | $35,820–$77,880 | $69,460 | 60 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,120 | $56,480–$112,810 | $89,320 | 190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Political Science Programs in Maine: Common Questions
How Many Schools in Maine Appear in These Political Science Rankings?
7 schools in Maine appear in the lists shown here (7 bachelor’s 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 Maine Has the Lowest Tuition?
University of Maine at Farmington lists $11,308 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.
What Does Political Science Cost at Maine’s Public Universities?
For residents, schoolwide tuition and required fees in 2024–25 were $11,308 at the University of Maine at Farmington, $12,090 at the University of Southern Maine, and $13,326 at the University of Maine. Nonresidents paid $23,878, $29,940, and $36,756. The four private schools charge one rate to everyone, from $44,210 at the University of New England to $69,600 at Colby College.
Which Ranked Political Science Bachelor’s Program Has the Lowest Resident Tuition in Maine?
University of Maine at Farmington in Farmington has the lowest resident tuition and required fees among the ranked political science bachelor’s programs: $11,308 for 2024–25. The nonresident figure is $23,878. Those are schoolwide undergraduate charges. Compare your aid offer and housing costs before deciding which school fits your budget.
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.