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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Michigan

16 Colleges in the United States
$25,088 Avg Student Debt
$58,456 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Political Science Badge [Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.

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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Michigan

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Political Science Schools

1

For return on investment in political science, no school beat University Of Michigan Flint this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $31,016. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

2
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,054 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $29,080 early in their careers. Set against $23,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for political science. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,862. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $39,702. Set against $18,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

4

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,175. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $32,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,812. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

6
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Political Science graduates carry a median of $30,596 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $35,059 early in their careers. Set against $30,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

7

University Of Detroit Mercy placed #7 among the best values for political science. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Students borrow a median of $26,267 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.

9

Northern Michigan University landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,199. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $32,795. That is a strong return on a $16,199 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

10

Western Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,564. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $38,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

11

Grand Valley State University landed the #11 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,250. Political Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

12

Eastern Michigan University came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $30,137 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,239 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,576. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,514. That is a strong return on a $22,576 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

15
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,552. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $42,740. Set against $27,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alma College admits about 57% of applicants.

16
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College placed #16 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,389. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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