2027 Best Value Political Science Associate’s Degree Schools
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 82 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
For return on investment in political science, no school beat West Valley College this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Political Science graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for political science. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for political science. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the political science program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for political science. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. 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. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Orange Coast College came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the political science program here. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $5,500. 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.
Santa Ana College landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,196. Political Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $5,707. Early-career political science graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Modesto Junior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #17 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Grossmont College earned the #18 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College earned the #19 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,191. Political Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Las Positas College placed #21 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Foothill College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
Other Political Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value political science schools at other degree levels:
View All Political Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
