by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1264 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is El Camino Community College District, our #1 best value for political science in the United States. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. 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 #4 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for political science. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Political Science graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #7 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
American River College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Political Science graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #13 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Grossmont College earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College came in at #15 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the political science program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College came in at #18 for value in political science this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #19 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Sierra College earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #22 among the best values for political science. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #23 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. 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.
Las Positas College placed #24 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Political Science rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1264 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.