2027 Best Value Political Economy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Political Economy](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-economy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political economy education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political economy schools.
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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
California State University San Bernardino earned the #1 spot for value among political economy schools in the United States. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $17,045. Political Economy graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $30,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,045 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $14,000. Early-career political economy graduates make about $41,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #3 place for political economy. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the political economy program here. Early-career political economy graduates make about $42,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $34,666. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political economy schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political economy program here. Political Economy graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of La Verne earned the #6 position for value in political economy this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. 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. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political economy program here. Early-career political economy graduates make about $51,693. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $24,865. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. That is a strong return on a $24,865 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,886. Students borrow a median of $26,425 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Beloit College generally make around $33,499. Set against $26,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Ave Maria University came in at #10 for value in political economy this year. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ave Maria. Students from in state pay about $30,198 in tuition and fees. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $19,801 in student loans. Early-career political economy graduates make about $40,866. Set against $19,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #11 among the best values for political economy. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $26,500. Political Economy graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $38,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Temple University came in at #12 for value in political economy this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $25,815 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,815 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College earned the #13 position for value in political economy this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $26,500. Early-career political economy graduates make about $35,537. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhodes College admits about 50% of applicants.
Duke University placed #14 among the best values for political economy. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $14,016. Political Economy graduates of Duke University earn a median of $54,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,016 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Muhlenberg College landed the #15 spot for political economy value this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $26,950. Early-career political economy graduates make about $35,641. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in political economy this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $12,869 in student loans. 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 landed the #17 spot for political economy value this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the political economy program here. Political Economy graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
Rollins College came in at #18 for value in political economy this year. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,580 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $25,362. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value political economy schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Students borrow a median of $22,801 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $31,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University landed the #20 spot for political economy value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $28,838. Early-career political economy graduates make about $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #21 spot for political economy value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $41,265. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Georgetown University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value political economy schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the political economy program here. Early-career political economy graduates make about $55,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
Other Political Economy Degree Levels
Explore the best-value political economy schools at other degree levels:
View All Political Economy Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.
