Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
$14,626 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 7 bachelor’s programs shown here.
New Hampshire · Political Science Rankings · 2027 
Best Political Science Programs in New Hampshire for 2027
With seven ranked schools, political science has the longest bachelor’s list among New Hampshire’s social science fields. Dartmouth College ranks first and awarded the most degrees in 2023–24, 122, with Southern New Hampshire University close behind at 117.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs in New Hampshire
7 schools in New Hampshire awarded political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 991 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
Dartmouth College
Government Major
78.5 Comparison ScoreDartmouth calls its political science major Government, and it asks for ten courses. A statistics and methods course comes first, with Government 10 recommended. Four introductory courses then cover the subfields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory and public law, usually within the first two years. Midlevel courses go deeper, and discussion-based seminars heavy on research and writing come in the third or fourth year. If you want a blend, three set modified majors pair Government with Economics, Philosophy or both. With 122 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is among the larger programs on its state page.
- Course Load
- Ten courses plus a statistics and methods prerequisite
- Subfields
- American, comparative, international relations, and political theory and public law
- Modified Majors
- Government with Economics, with Philosophy, or with both
Program Sources: Major/Minor | Department of GovernmentMajor/Minor | Department of Government
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 122 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 96% 1,165 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $106,153 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $68,019 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $68,019 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 2
University of New Hampshire
Political Science Major (B.A.)
70.2 Comparison ScoreUNH asks for 10 to 12 courses in the major. You start with three introductory courses chosen from Politics and Society, American Politics and Government, United States in World Affairs and Introduction to Comparative Politics, all within the first calendar year after declaring. Then comes a 500-level layer: three subfield courses, each from a different one of American politics, political thought, comparative politics, international politics and methods, plus three electives. The capstone is a 700-level political science course. A foreign language requirement applies to the B.A. With 59 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is one of the larger options on its state page.
- Introductory Courses
- Three of four, completed within a year of declaring the major
- Subfields
- American politics, political thought, comparative politics, international politics and methods
- Capstone
- One 700-level political science course
Program Sources: Political Science Major (B.A.) | University of New Hampshire Academic CatalogPolitical Science Major (B.A.) | University of New Hampshire Academic Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 59 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 76% 2,986 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $64,762 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $19,202 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $39,852 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
Saint Anselm College
Politics
63.9 Comparison ScoreSaint Anselm’s politics major is ten courses tied closely to its home state. The required list is American Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Science Research Methods, one political theory course (classical or modern) and a Senior Seminar, plus four electives. The New Hampshire Institute of Politics sits on campus, with an ambassador program and public events, and internships have placed students in a U.S. Senate office, a governor’s office and WMUR-TV. You can take the degree as a B.A. or a B.S. The program awarded 28 degrees in 2023–24.
- Required Courses
- Ten courses, including research methods, a theory course and a Senior Seminar
- On-Campus Institute
- New Hampshire Institute of Politics
- Internship Examples
- U.S. Senate office, N.H. Governor’s Office, WMUR-TV, ABC News
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 28 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 80% 591 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $80,763 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $48,920 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $48,920 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 4
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science
55.2 Comparison ScoreSNHU’s BA has 33 credits of major courses, 12 credits of major electives and 24 credits of free electives. Courses span American Politics, International Relations, American State and Local Government, Political Theory and Applications, The Legal System in America, Introduction to Comparative Politics and Globalization and World Politics. In Analysis and Research in Political Science you work through research methods and statistical analysis using case studies of current issues, and a Political Science Capstone Experience ends the degree by asking you to synthesize what you have learned. With 117 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is one of the larger programs on its state page.
- Credit Structure
- 33 major credits, 12 major elective credits and 24 free elective credits
- Research Course
- Analysis and Research in Political Science
- Capstone
- Political Science Capstone Experience
Program Sources: Political Science Degree Online | Bachelor's Courses | SNHUPolitical Science Degree Online | Bachelor's Courses | SNHU
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 117 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 44% 1,985 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $62,387 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $17,200 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $17,200 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 5
Plymouth State University
Political Science (BS)
38.7 Comparison ScorePlymouth State’s Political Science BS runs on six four-credit core courses: American Government, World Politics, Politics in Action, Public Administration, Political Analysis and Policy, and Political Thought. Twelve more credits come from 3000 and 4000-level electives. You also pick one American politics course, such as The Presidency and Congress or Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties, and one in international relations or comparative politics, with options like Model United Nations, War and Conflict and Latin American Politics. A statistics course is part of the foundation. With 5 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is a small program.
- Core Courses
- Six four-credit courses from American Government to Political Thought
- Upper-Level Electives
- 12 credits at the 3000 and 4000 level
- Global Choice
- One course such as Model United Nations, War and Conflict or Latin American Politics
Program Sources: Political Science (BS) < Plymouth State University
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 5 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 52% 1,086 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $14,626 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $25,566 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 6
Franklin Pierce University
Political Science
26.1 Comparison ScoreFranklin Pierce opens the major with a first-year course on either Political Violence or Politics in Popular Culture. A Research Methods course, a public administration course and a history course build the methods side, and three of U.S. Government, State and Local Government, International Relations and Comparative Politics give the foundation. Applied learning is four courses from American and global tracks, including Constitutional Law and Moot Court, Global Security and Diplomacy, and Disinformation and Propaganda. A Senior Research Seminar caps the major, and a field-based experience worth 1 to 9 credits puts the work into practice. With 4 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is a small program.
- First-Year Course
- Political Violence or Politics in Popular Culture
- Applied Learning
- Four courses, including Constitutional Law and Moot Court
- Capstone And Field Work
- Senior Research Seminar and a field-based experience worth 1 to 9 credits
Program Sources: Political Science | Franklin Pierce UniversityPolitical Science | Franklin Pierce University
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 4 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 54% 453 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $46,442 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $46,442 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 7
New England College
Politics, BA
21.9 Comparison ScoreNew England College calls its students scholar-practitioners, and the Politics BA is built around doing. You can join debates, elections and town halls with candidates, work in legislative offices in Washington, D.C. or Concord, New Hampshire, and work on the College Convention, held every four years. The learning outcomes include research-driven political analysis, public policy, and an internship at the state, local, national or international level. A Politics of the Civil Rights Movement course took a 2026 study away trip to Tennessee and Mississippi. With 1 degree awarded in 2023–24, expect a very small cohort.
- Hands-On Highlights
- Debates, elections and town halls for political candidates
- Internships
- Federal and state government offices, including Washington, D.C. and Concord
- Study Away
- Politics of the Civil Rights Movement trip to Tennessee and Mississippi
Program Sources: Politics, BA - New England CollegePolitics, BA - New England College
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 1 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 35% 389 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $27,474 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $27,474 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Political Science Programs in New Hampshire at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 7 2 public, 5 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 7 336 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $14,626 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Political Science Programs in New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire’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%). Methodology and data sources.
Best Political Science Schools in New Hampshire by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Political Science Bachelor’s Graduates
122 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. 2 overall), with a comparison score of 70.2.
Compare Political Science Programs in New Hampshire by Degree Level
The first two schools differ sharply on price and output. Dartmouth College ranks first with a 78.5 score, 122 bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, and $68,019 in 2024–25 schoolwide tuition and required fees. The University of New Hampshire ranks second, awarded 59 degrees, and lists $19,202 for residents. Manchester’s two schools show a wide gap of their own. Saint Anselm College ranks third at $48,920 with an 80% schoolwide graduation rate, and Southern New Hampshire University ranks fourth at $17,200 with a 44% rate and 117 degrees awarded.
Plymouth State University ranks fifth and awarded 5 political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, so its program is small by completions. Franklin Pierce University in Rindge and New England College in Henniker round out the list. On pay, the May 2025 median for political scientists in New Hampshire was $74,560, against $142,080 nationally. That figure covers the whole occupation, not graduates’ starting salaries.
Political Science Careers and Pay in New Hampshire
These are BLS median annual wages for New Hampshire 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 | New Hampshire Median | New Hampshire 10th–90th Percentile | U.S. Median | New Hampshire Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Scientists | $74,560 | $34,960–$174,670 | $142,080 | |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $65,690 | $37,350–$93,030 | $61,990 | 70 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $73,860 | $55,900–$109,240 | $89,320 | 260 |
Blank cells mean BLS did not publish that estimate.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Political Science Programs in New Hampshire: Common Questions
How Many Schools in New Hampshire Appear in These Political Science Rankings?
7 schools in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Has the Lowest Tuition?
Plymouth State University lists $14,626 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 Is the Lowest-Cost Political Science Bachelor’s in New Hampshire?
For residents, Plymouth State University lists the lowest 2024–25 schoolwide tuition and required fees on the list at $14,626, with Southern New Hampshire University next at $17,200. For nonresidents, Southern New Hampshire University’s $17,200 is the lowest figure among the seven ranked schools, since it charges everyone the same rate. These are schoolwide costs, not program prices.
Which Ranked Political Science Bachelor’s Program Has the Lowest Resident Tuition in New Hampshire?
Plymouth State University in Plymouth has the lowest resident tuition and required fees among the ranked political science bachelor’s programs: $14,626 for 2024–25. The nonresident figure is $25,566. 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.