2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 118 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,888. Political Science graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $63,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,154. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,274. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,577. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,768. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $42,688. That is a strong return on a $18,768 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,820. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,500. Political Science graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,603 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,610. That is a strong return on a $12,603 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,246. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilmington University earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,054. Early-career political science graduates make about $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $33,549. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Delaware earned the #15 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $31,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $83,555. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Towson University earn a median of $42,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #19 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $26,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Niagara University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,208. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,540. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,485. That is a strong return on a $26,540 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $36,562. Early-career political science graduates make about $49,935. That is a strong return on a $36,562 median debt.
Salisbury University placed #23 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $33,397. That is a strong return on a $23,160 median debt. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $27,814 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,406 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $36,480. That is a strong return on a $19,406 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
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Notes and References
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 · 118 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 118 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.
