Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
$10,910 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 4 bachelor’s programs shown here.
North Dakota · Political Science Rankings · 2027 
Best Political Science Programs in North Dakota for 2027
Political science in North Dakota is ranked at the bachelor’s level only, with four schools in four cities. The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks ranks first, while North Dakota State University in Fargo awarded 22 of the state’s 45 political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24. Two private nonprofit colleges, the University of Mary in Bismarck and the University of Jamestown, are on the list with two public universities.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs in North Dakota
4 schools in North Dakota awarded political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 991 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
University of North Dakota
Political Science (B.A.)
63.7 Comparison ScoreUND’s Political Science B.A. is flexible by design: you take classes in public policy, international relations and comparative politics, then use electives to lean toward pre-law, international relations, legislative politics or public policy. Internships are encouraged, and past students have worked with North Dakota and Minnesota congressional delegations, government agencies, law firms and judges. Two accelerated routes exist. Majors can add a Master’s in Public Administration with one extra year, or take the 3+3 law track, which lets fourth-year credits count toward law school coursework. Pi Sigma Alpha and the Model UN program are on campus, and at least 25% of majors travel to conferences. It sits first on its state page, with 15 degrees awarded in 2023–24.
- Elective Focus
- Pre-law, international relations, legislative politics or public policy
- Accelerated Paths
- M.P.A. in one extra year, or a 3+3 law degree
- Internships
- Congressional delegations, government agencies, law firms and judges
Program Sources: Political Science (B.A.) | University of North DakotaPolitical Science (B.A.) | University of North Dakota
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 15 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 61% 1,807 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $66,535 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $10,951 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $15,570 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 2
North Dakota State University
Political Science Major
59.8 Comparison ScoreNDSU’s political science major puts research skills in the core: Applied Research Methods and a quantitative methods course built for political science and public policy sit beside courses in political ideologies, international or comparative politics, and American government or introductory political science. Then you spread out, taking five courses from at least three of four areas: American politics and policy, law and policy, international relations, and comparative politics. Choices include Constitutional Law, Public Policy Analysis, Ethnic Conflicts and Comparative Democratic Institutions. Nine more elective credits can come from any political science class. An accelerated option lets you count up to 15 Master of Public Policy credits toward the bachelor’s. NDSU awarded 22 degrees here in 2023–24.
- Methods Core
- Applied Research Methods plus Quantitative Methods for Political Science and Public Policy
- Area Electives
- Five courses from at least three of four areas, covering policy, law, international and comparative politics
- Accelerated Option
- Bachelor’s with a Master of Public Policy, counting up to 15 graduate credits
Program Sources: Political Science Major | North Dakota State University CatalogPolitical Science Major | North Dakota State University Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 22 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 64% 2,268 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $52,834 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $10,910 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $15,564 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
University of Mary
Politics
42.0 Comparison ScoreMary’s politics B.A. reads political life through its classic texts and asks big questions early: what is justice, what are rights and where do they come from, and what is the source of authority. You study American government and the basis of the American political tradition, and the department frames politics by its original meaning, the search for a path to human flourishing. Because Bismarck is North Dakota’s capital, you can complete an internship at the State Capitol, join the Pre-Law Club or Marauders on Politics, and meet elected local, state and federal officials. Seminars and field trips tie classroom work to the community. With 6 degrees awarded in 2023–24, the cohort is small.
- Core Questions
- Political philosophy, American government and the classic texts of political life
- Capitol Internship
- Internships at the North Dakota State Capitol
- Student Groups
- Pre-Law Club and Marauders on Politics
Program Sources: Politics | University of MaryPolitics | University of Mary
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 6 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 67% 527 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $22,356 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $22,356 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 4
University of Jamestown
Political Science, B.A.
25.9 Comparison ScoreJamestown’s political science B.A. runs on six required courses: American National Government, Congress and the Presidency, Comparative European Governments, World Politics, American Economic Policy and Modern Political Thought. You add three electives, which can include constitutional law courses, American foreign relations, the European Union, an internship or an independent study, plus three related non-political-science courses from fields such as business, communication, criminal justice and economics. Writing is built in, because majors write at least three research papers in their political science classes. The department sits within History and Political Science, and its stated aim is an informed outlook on how the Constitution and the institutions it empowers work. Only 2 degrees were awarded in 2023–24.
- Required Core
- Six courses from American government to modern political thought
- Research Requirement
- At least three research papers across political science classes
- Related Electives
- Three non-political-science courses from fields such as business, communication, criminal justice and economics
Program Sources: Political Science, B.A. | University of Jamestown CatalogPolitical Science, B.A. | University of Jamestown Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 2 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 49% 261 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $24,990 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $24,990 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Political Science Programs in North Dakota at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 4 2 public, 2 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 4 45 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $10,910 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Political Science Programs in North Dakota
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 North Dakota’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 North Dakota by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Political Science Bachelor’s Graduates
22 political science bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.
Highest Schoolwide Graduation Rate
67% of first-time, full-time students at the school finished a bachelor’s within six years. This is a schoolwide rate, not a political science-only rate.
Top-Scoring Private College
The highest-scoring private school on the bachelor’s list (No. 3 overall), with a comparison score of 42.0.
Political Science in North Dakota: Four Schools and a Wide Cost Gap
The public and private split drives the cost comparison. The two public schools list 2024–25 schoolwide tuition and required fees for residents of $10,910 at North Dakota State University and $10,951 at the University of North Dakota. The University of Mary lists $22,356 and the University of Jamestown $24,990. The higher price does not come with a higher rank at Jamestown, which places fourth. The University of Mary places third, the top private school, and posts the highest schoolwide graduation rate on the list at 67%.
Most degrees come from two schools. North Dakota State awarded 22 bachelor’s degrees and the University of North Dakota 15 in 2023–24, out of 45 statewide, while the University of Jamestown awarded 2.
Political Science Careers and Pay in North Dakota
These are BLS median annual wages for North Dakota 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 | North Dakota Median | North Dakota 10th–90th Percentile | U.S. Median | North Dakota Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,500 | $61,070–$129,930 | $89,320 | 210 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Political Science Programs in North Dakota: Common Questions
How Many Schools in North Dakota Appear in These Political Science Rankings?
4 schools in North Dakota appear in the lists shown here (4 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 North Dakota Has the Lowest Tuition?
North Dakota State University lists $10,910 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 Private Colleges Offer Political Science in North Dakota?
Two private nonprofit schools are ranked: the University of Mary in Bismarck (third, score 42.0) and the University of Jamestown (fourth, score 25.9). Their 2024–25 schoolwide tuition and required fees were $22,356 and $24,990, more than double any public school on the list. The University of Mary’s 67% schoolwide graduation rate is the highest in the group.
Which Ranked Political Science Bachelor’s Program Has the Lowest Resident Tuition in North Dakota?
North Dakota State University in Fargo has the lowest resident tuition and required fees among the ranked political science bachelor’s programs: $10,910 for 2024–25. 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.