2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Wisconsin
[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 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Wisconsin
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Green Bay the best value for a degree in political science in Wisconsin. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,383 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $36,036 early in their careers. Set against $23,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,015. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $42,366. Set against $25,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,791 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $40,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for political science. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,455. Set against $21,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $40,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #6 for value in political science this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $35,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $42,063 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #8 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,968 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $26,268. Set against $23,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ripon College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ripon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,900. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,385. That is a strong return on a $26,973 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Beloit College came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,886 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,425. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Saint Norbert College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of De Pere. In-state tuition and fees average $45,580. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,578. Political Science graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $48,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,578 median debt. Saint Norbert College admits about 86% of applicants.
Marquette University landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $38,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.
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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.
