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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

130 Ranked Colleges
10,978 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 47,549 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 10,978 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 130 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 132 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke also made our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $7,160 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Political Science at Duke University

2
Washington and Lee crest
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington and Lee University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Lexington, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

Washington and Lee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee is $6,505 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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 Washington and Lee University

3
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #3 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 98 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,694 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Political Science at Vanderbilt

4
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 407 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,394 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Florida.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Florida

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 360 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,619 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Political Science Report

6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #6, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 125 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,228 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science at Wake Forest University

7
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 170 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William & Mary, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,995 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend William & Mary.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science at William & Mary

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #8, Florida State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 513 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, Florida State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,506 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 full report on Political Science at Florida State University

9
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 114 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $16,019 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science at University of Virginia

10

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 189 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,669 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Read more about Political Science at USF Tampa

11

With a ranking of #11, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 345 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,292 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida International University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, 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 91%.

Full Florida International University Political Science Report

12

University of Central Florida landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCF is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 381 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF also made our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $9,426 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Central Florida

13
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Georgia is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 242 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $15,037 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 94%.

Read full report on Political Science at UGA

14
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Richmond is a small school located in University of Richmond, Virginia that handed out 41 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

URichmond not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend URichmond is $16,063 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Full URichmond Political Science Report

15
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $13,536 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

Read full report on Political Science at American Public University System

16

With a ranking of #16, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 22 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,301 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read full report on Political Science at UWF

17
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 121 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory also made our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $16,646 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Emory University Political Science Report

18
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #18, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 200 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $18,372 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Virginia Tech Political Science Report

19
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #19, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Florida is a fairly large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 96 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $10,194 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at University of North Florida

20
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 169 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,323 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at FAU

21
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 86 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WVU is $13,077 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full WVU Political Science Report

22
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

With a ranking of #22, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 128 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UK is $16,708 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science at UK

23

Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and it awarded 56 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The Citadel is $13,358 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Citadel Military College of South Carolina Political Science Report

24
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school awarded 247 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Georgia State is $18,466 for Southeast Region Poly Sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Georgia State University Political Science Report

25
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NC State is $14,424 for southeast region poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at North Carolina State University

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