2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus the best value for a degree in political science in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $40,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $29,025. Political Science graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $40,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,900. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $35,390. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #4 place for political science. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $26,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #6 position for value in political science this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $41,201. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,037. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $29,186. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Pa placed #9 among the best values for political science. Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $40,290 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Westminster College Pa earn a median of $41,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westminster College Pa admits about 93% of applicants.
Swarthmore College placed #10 among the best values for political science. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Political Science graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $40,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,605. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,567. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $30,834. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #15 for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of $41,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Haverford College landed the #16 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for political science. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington And Jefferson College came in at #18 for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,392 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Washington And Jefferson College earn a median of $39,484 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabethtown College earned the #19 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Wilkes University earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $64,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 for value in political science this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $14,722 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,473. That is a strong return on a $14,722 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University landed the #22 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,815 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,011. Set against $25,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Muhlenberg College earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $25,058. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs University landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $38,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Arcadia University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,921. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,764. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
More Political Science Rankings
View All Political Science Rankings >
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
