[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 685 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
Finding the Best Value Political Science School for You
The right political science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Political Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Political Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value political science schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,888. Political Science graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $63,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
A rank of #2 makes West Valley College one of the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,531. Political Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes De Anza College one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $31,574. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Canyons landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #7 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $31,005. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,059. Set against $12,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,577. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
San Diego Miramar College placed #10 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cerritos College placed #12 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. 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, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,045 in student loans. Political Science graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $30,291 early in their careers. Set against $17,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny City College placed #14 among the best values for political science. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Diablo Valley College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #17 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles placed #18 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,614. Political Science graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $29,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Skyline College came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Santa Monica College landed the #20 spot for political science value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College placed #21 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
California State University Fullerton landed the #22 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $15,000. Political Science graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $31,711 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,692. Early-career political science graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Moorpark College earned the #24 position for value in political science this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,075. Early-career political science graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
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 · 685 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 685 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).
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
