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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in California

18 Ranked Colleges
137 Degrees Awarded
$26,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 46,740 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 7,602 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 137 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in political science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Political Science Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Stanford University

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 25 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCLA Political Science Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about Political Science at University of California - Irvine

#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at California State University - Los Angeles

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 1 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at UC Berkeley

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Cal State Fullerton

#3 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSD Political Science Report

#8

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#7 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read full report on Political Science at SDSU

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Full CSUN Political Science Report

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#8 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

Read more about Political Science at UCR

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

Read full report on Political Science at California State University - Long Beach

#12

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at UCSB

University of California - Davis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #0 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at UC Davis

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Sac State

#15

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at San Francisco State University

#16

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of California - Santa Cruz

#17 in overall quality

University of California - Merced landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854.

Read full report on Political Science at UC Merced

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Read full report on Political Science at Chico State

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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