2027 Best Value Political Economy Schools
[Political Economy](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-economy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political economy schools.
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Finding the Best Value Political Economy School for You
The right political economy school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Political Economy Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Political Economy Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Political Economy Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political economy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Economy Schools
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for political economy in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $17,045. Early-career political economy graduates make about $30,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political economy schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,257 to complete the political economy program here. Early-career political economy graduates make about $47,626. Set against $19,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Suny College At Old Westbury is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #4 spot this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career political economy graduates make about $34,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Geneseo earned it the #5 place for political economy. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $19,500. Early-career political economy graduates make about $37,022. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of La Verne ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political economy schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,470. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #7 for value in political economy this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for value in political economy this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $24,865 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Beloit College earned the #9 position for value in political economy this year. Set in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,886. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $26,425. Early-career political economy graduates make about $33,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Beloit College admits about 63% of applicants.
Ave Maria University came in at #10 for value in political economy this year. Located in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,198 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $19,801. Political Economy graduates of Ave Maria University earn a median of $40,866 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ave Maria University admits about 41% of applicants.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #11 position for value in political economy this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the political economy program here. Political Economy graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $38,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Temple University landed the #12 spot for political economy value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $25,815. Political Economy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rhodes College came in at #13 for value in political economy this year. Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $35,537. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Rhodes College admits about 50% of applicants.
Duke University earned the #14 position for value in political economy this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $14,016. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $54,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Muhlenberg College came in at #15 for value in political economy this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $35,641. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Southern California placed #16 among the best values for political economy. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $12,869 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $38,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Colorado College earned the #17 position for value in political economy this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
Rollins College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value political economy schools. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,580. Students borrow a median of $25,362 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Rollins College generally make around $36,309. Set against $25,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value political economy schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $31,290. That is a strong return on a $22,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Drexel University placed #20 among the best values for political economy. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the political economy program here. Political Economy graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #21 for value in political economy this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $41,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Georgetown University landed the #22 spot for political economy value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career political economy graduates make about $64,297. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
