[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 600 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Princeton University this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $63,317. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $35,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #4 place for political science. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Political Science graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,334 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,059 early in their careers. Set against $12,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,577. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,820 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,828. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,045. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,823. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. 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.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #11 for value in political science this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $10,614 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $29,818. Set against $10,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #12 for value in political science this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,603 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $34,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,200. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Berea College earned the #15 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Political Science graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,202. Political Science graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $32,014 early in their careers. Set against $14,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best values for political science. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,084 in student loans. Political Science graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $36,189 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay earned the #18 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,544 in student loans. Political Science graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $40,460 early in their careers. Set against $19,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #19 among the best values for political science. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,528. Political Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $21,674 early in their careers. Set against $14,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #20 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,484 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $29,533. Set against $15,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,700. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $34,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Utah Valley University earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,413. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,268. Political Science graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $25,837 early in their careers. Set against $10,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #24 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $24,804. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
The ranking above is published 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 · 600 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 600 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
