Best Online Political Science Programs of 2026

Why We Chose It: FIU offers numerous global learning opportunities, including virtual exchanges and research partnerships.

FIU's online BA in political science emphasizes Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), a teaching approach that incorporates international group projects and discussions into online courses. This model is particularly valuable for online students, who can engage with peers abroad and gain a broader, global perspective of their field.

All undergraduate students are required to take at least two global learning courses, which are designed to strengthen their ability to analyze issues from multiple perspectives, understand global systems and trends, and address local and international challenges

FIU also offers a Global Learning Medallion program, awarded to students who complete at least four global learning courses and co-curricular experiences focused on global engagement. Global Medallion participants have access to exclusive internships, study abroad programs, and roundtable discussions.

What We Like About FIU

• Through FIU’s dedicated COIL office, faculty partner with instructors at universities worldwide to design shared activities and projects, allowing students to work together in international teams.
• FIU offers a scholarship for Global Learning Medallion participants to help them complete a capstone project, such as globally focused research, an internship, a fellowship, study abroad, or language study.
• You can participate in Tuesday roundtable sessions, which are focused on global and local issues, trends, and challenges.

What We Don't Like

• FIU is the only school in this list that doesn’t participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, which helps cover tuition costs for military members, veterans, and their families.

Why We Chose It: This program features a flat tuition rate that keeps costs low for out-of-states students.

Most colleges charge different rates depending on your residency status. However, UA's political science BA offers a flat-rate structure, so out-of-state students pay the same per-credit cost as in-state students.

Regardless of where you live, you'll pay $525 per credit for this political science bachelors program. By comparison, out-of-state students in other programs on this list pay around $600 per credit or more.

In addition to its affordable price for nonresidents,  it’s worth noting that UA’s online programs operate on a 7.5-week course model, allowing students to move through classes at a faster pace than in traditional 15-week terms. The school also offers up to six start dates per year, giving students added flexibility in when they begin or resume their studies.

What We Like About UA

• UA has transfer agreements with several Arizona community colleges, allowing in-state students to transfer credits seamlessly.
• You can choose between four emphasis areas: American Politics, the General track, International Affairs, or Law & Public Policy.
• UA offers the most generous Yellow Ribbon benefits, supporting up to 600 military students annually with no cap. Other schools cover fewer students or provide less aid.

What We Don't Like

• At $525 per credit, this is one of the pricier programs on our list — especially if you’re an Arizona resident. Other programs charge in-state students around $200 or less per credit.
• Although UA Online operates on a 7.5-week course model, some classes may extend up to 15 weeks.

Why We Chose It: UCF is the only school that offers a bachelor’s in political science with a dedicated pre-law track.

A political science bachelor’s is a common choice for students planning to attend law school. UCF's political science BA program may be an even better fit because it features a prelaw track.

A political science degree with a prelaw focus can be advantageous, as the coursework often introduces legal reasoning, case analysis, and policy evaluation — skills that closely align with what students encounter in their first year of law school.

UCF’s prelaw track is designed to help students build a strong foundation for law school and includes dozens of law-focused electives, such as protests in American politics, women and public policy, urban environmental policy, and national security law.

For students who are not pursuing law school, UCF also offers a general online bachelor’s in political science.

What We Like About UCF

• Florida residents pay just $179 per credit hour for the general program  — the lowest in-state tuition rate on our list.
• Through the UCF Online Connect Center, students can meet with success coaches who guide them in using campus resources and developing strategies to reach their academic and personal goals.
• The Student Academic Resource Center offers virtual peer-to-peer tutoring, study groups, workshops, and academic consultations for online students.

What We Don't Like

• Although the pre-law track is offered fully online, some courses may not be available online every term.

Why We Chose It: UIOWA allows political science majors to choose one or two focus areas within the program.

UIOWA's online political science BA program stands out for offering seven emphasis areas, and students may pursue two at the same time. In comparison, other programs in this list either don’t offer specialization tracks or allow you to pick only one.

The program offers emphasis areas in American institutions, identity politics, international relations, political behavior, political communication, politics of foreign countries, and public policy. Each one includes four courses and can be formally noted on the transcript if students request recognition from the department.

While this program is a strong choice for students who want more control over their academic focus, it's a degree-completion program, so students must have prior college experience to apply.

What We Like About UIOWA

• This program features a flat-rate tuition structure, so you’ll pay approximately $562 per credit, regardless of your location. By comparison, most schools in this list charge out-of-state students more than $600.
• Through PeopleGroove, the institution's networking app, political science students can connect with alumni for career support, mentorship, and other resources. 
• As a Yellow Ribbon school, UIOWA covers up to $2,500 in tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t pay for eligible military students. Other schools cap the number of students they’ll fund each year.

What We Don't Like

• To apply to this degree-completion program, you must have finished high school at least three years ago and have either an associate degree or at least 24 college-level transfer credits with a 2.0 GPA or higher.

Why We Chose It: UNC is the most affordable option for students who want to earn a political science degree and have previous college experience. 

UNC's online bachelor’s in political science is the most affordable option if you have prior college experience. This degree-completion program costs about $189 per credit for North Carolina residents and $343 for out-of-state students, which is the lowest on our list.  In comparison, the University of Arizona charges a flat rate of $525 per credit for all online students, which is approximately $177 more per credit than UNC’s out-of-state online rate.

The UNC program has 30 credits and offers three start dates in the spring, summer, and fall. You complete 11-14 credits of elective courses, including mass media, healthcare policy, public administration, or judicial process. The program concludes with a senior seminar capstone course. 

What We Like About UNC

• This program is fully asynchronous and can be completed in as little as 12 months.
• Online students have full access to UNC's career center, where they can speak with a career coach, engage in interview practices, attend job fairs, and more.

What We Don't Like

• Although the program is affordable, it requires at least 24 transferable credits or an associate degree, so it isn’t an option for first-time students.