2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Indiana
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value political science schools in Indiana. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,708. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University East one of the best values for political science. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,098 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $49,598. Set against $24,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $36,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #4 place for political science. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,987 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,951. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #6 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,410. Political Science graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $39,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,963. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $32,406. Set against $25,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Wabash College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. Students from in state pay about $50,800 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $32,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,832. Early-career political science graduates make about $45,090. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys College earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,230. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,938. Political Science graduates of Saint Marys College earn a median of $48,274 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame placed #11 among the best values for political science. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $55,316. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Butler University placed #12 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,351. Early-career political science graduates make about $68,222. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
