2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Ohio
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Sinclair Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value political science schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for political science. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Political Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $28,148. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $26,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $27,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $32,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,983. Political Science graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $26,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $31,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for political science. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,753. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ashland University came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,738 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $44,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,218 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,807. That is a strong return on a $26,218 median debt. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster came in at #12 for value in political science this year. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $38,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $37,360. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $46,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
John Carroll University earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,500. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $28,507. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,747 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $41,710. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kenyon College earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,354. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,550. That is a strong return on a $18,354 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Oberlin College landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $30,187. Set against $24,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
Denison University earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,272. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,106. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
