What Are the Best Colleges for Political Science on the West Coast?

As a student eyeing political science, I'm curious about the best West Coast colleges for this major. Does anyone have recommendations or insights on which schools have strong political science departments?

Absolutely! It's a great choice to consider pursuing a political science major, and there are several strong programs on the West Coast. Here are a few top options.

Stanford University houses one of the top political science majors in the entire nation. You will have access to world-renowned faculty and rigorous coursework. Stanford's proximity to Silicon Valley also opens up opportunities for internships in tech-based sectors related to legislative policies or governmental relations.

The University of California, Berkeley (usually referred to as Cal) also has an excellent political science department. Known to be research-oriented, the political science department at Cal offers a broad curriculum covering various areas such as political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and American politics.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is another great choice for their highly ranked political science program that offers diversity in study areas including race, ethnicity, and politics; women and politics; and political theory.

Claremont McKenna College, part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, is distinguished by its intensive focus on the social sciences, including political science. This college is renowned for its intimate class sizes and the personalized attention given to students by renowned faculty members.

Remember that identifying the "best" college or university also depends on your individual preferences and needs such as class size, internship opportunities, or specific faculty you would like to work with. Don't forget to think about these factors as you conduct your research. Happy researching!