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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

81 Ranked Colleges
10,056 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Political Science is the 13th most popular major in the country with 47,549 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 10,056 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 81 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 86 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $1,581 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Political Science at Stanford

2
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Claremont McKenna College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 38 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Claremont McKenna did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Claremont McKenna is $8,693 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Political Science at Claremont McKenna

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 335 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $6,399 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at UW Seattle

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 537 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $9,999 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at UC Berkeley

5

Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 713 students in 2020-2021.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,891 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science at UCLA

6
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Pomona also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pomona College is $6,239 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science at Pomona College

7

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,701 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Cal State LA

8

University of California - San Diego came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 409 students in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $11,176 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of California - San Diego Political Science Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 279 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,598 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Davis.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science at University of California - Davis

10

University of California - Irvine came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 361 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also took the #9 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science at UC Irvine

11
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 13 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitzer, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pitzer is $17,181 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Pitzer College

12

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,655 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fresno State.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at Fresno State

13

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 256 students in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $8,193 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science at UCR

14

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 328 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $11,606 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at UCSB

15
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SRJC is a fairly large school located in Santa Rosa, California that handed out 28 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SRJC is $5,800 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science at SRJC

16

California State University - Long Beach ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 200 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $7,573 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

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

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 131 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,821 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Cal State Fullerton Political Science Report

18

California State University - Northridge came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 214 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $7,103 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at California State University - Northridge

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 167 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,055 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Sac State Political Science Report

20
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 121 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, USC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $17,345 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USC.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Political Science at USC

21
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #21, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 162 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,274 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full SDSU Political Science Report

22

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 201 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for far western us region poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Political Science Report

23

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 56 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,613 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Political Science Report

24

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $6,046 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full CSUB Political Science Report

25

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 20 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for Far Western US Region Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at California State University - Stanislaus

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