Most Affordable Political Science Bachelor’s Programs for 2027

Western Carolina distinguishes its political science degrees through advanced foreign-language study in the BA and required undergraduate research in the BS. Both allow work in American politics, international relations, comparative politics and political theory, with additional courses in public law and administration. You'll also complete an engaged experience, such as Model United Nations, study abroad or an internship. The Haire Institute for Public Policy offers opportunities for students to assist with research and policy recommendations, giving you another setting to explore applied political questions.

BYU-Idaho’s political science BA puts research and practice into the core. You’ll take Research Methods alongside American government, comparative politics and international politics, then finish with a senior seminar and a required political science internship worth one to six credits. You also choose one theory course, ancient or modern, and a skills module in GIS, statistics or two 200-level courses in one foreign language. Most of your upper-level work comes from a 27-credit emphasis, and the department lists emphases in American government and foreign affairs, among others. Major courses need a C- or higher.

Florida Atlantic’s political science BA asks for at least 36 political science credits with no grade below a C. You’ll start with Government of the U.S. and Exploring Political Science, then pick two foundation courses from comparative politics, world politics, research methods and global political theory. At least 24 upper-division credits follow, with coursework in three of five areas: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public policy. You can add a Global Governance or Pre-Law concentration, and Pre-Law adds no credits to the major. The optional honors program has you write and revise a journal article-length paper from original research.

North Georgia’s political science BS covers every major area of the discipline and can be completed fully online. You’ll start with American Government, Introduction to Political Science and Global Issues, then take Political Science Research Methods and a Senior Seminar in the major. The rest of the 30 required major hours spreads across two American politics courses, two international affairs courses, one political theory course and three more upper-level electives. A minor is required. Internships aren’t mandatory, but you can count up to 9 hours of internship credit in place of upper-level political science courses. Every political science course needs a C or better.

West Florida’s political science BA comes in two specializations: general political science or pre-law. In the general track you’ll take Political Analysis, a political philosophy course, either The Presidency or The Legislative Process, and a course in American constitutionalism. You also take one upper-level course each in comparative politics, international politics, American politics and political theory, plus two more electives. The pre-law specialization leans on American political thought, constitutional law and judicial politics and adds related courses such as Legal Research and Writing. Both tracks expect American, comparative and international politics at the introductory level, and you’ll choose a math pathway such as statistical reasoning.

FAMU’s political science BA is a 33-hour major inside a 120-hour degree. The program covers public policy, political behavior, foreign relations, law, conflict and war, using both humanistic and scientific approaches. You can take the general major or add a concentration in international relations, public administration, or urban studies and economic development, and the department also lists a Global Security and International Affairs option. The BA requires 12 hours of a foreign language. You’ll also complete an 18-hour minor in another field, or in public administration if that’s your concentration. Every course outside the natural sciences needs a C or better.

Kennesaw State’s political science BS builds data skills in from the start. Your field-of-study core includes Introduction to Data Science and Research Methods, along with comparative politics, international relations and political ideologies. In the major you’ll take one course in six of seven subfields: American government, political behavior, international relations, comparative politics, political theory, public law and administration, and research methods. That last area includes Political Data Analysis and Public Opinion. You finish with a Senior Seminar, then fill 12 hours of upper-level political science electives and 15 hours of related studies from fields such as history, communication and philosophy. The department strongly urges internships.

UNF’s political science BA gives you a two-course research core and then a lot of room. After two introductory courses chosen from American government, comparative politics and international relations, you’ll take Research Design for Political Science and Research Analysis for Political Science. The rest of the major is eight upper-level electives drawn from comparative politics, international relations, public administration, American politics, political theory and public policy, so you can build your own focus. A minor is required. As a BA student you’ll also complete 8 hours of a foreign language, or a 6-hour foreign culture option if you took two years of language in high school.

Georgia Southern’s political science BS starts with Introduction to Political Science and Research Methods in Political Science. In the major you’ll take one course each in American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory, plus four more upper-level political science courses. The capstone is a Senior Seminar, but you can swap in an experiential course instead, such as Model United Nations II, Moot Court II, a practicum in civic engagement or a field internship. You can also add a concentration in Global Security Studies or an emphasis in Law and Politics with a paralegal certificate. The degree runs 123 credit hours and is offered fully online.

Florida Gulf Coast’s political science BA keeps its required core short: Comparative Politics, Introduction to Political Science Research and a capstone Senior Seminar. The remaining 24 upper-division credits are restricted electives spread across at least three areas, including comparative politics, international relations, public administration, American politics, political theory and public policy. Up to 6 of those credits can come from internships, the Washington Center, study abroad or independent study. You’ll also meet a service-learning requirement and a 3-credit sustainability course requirement. All required courses in the major must be taken at FGCU, which matters if you plan to transfer in.