by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Bunker Hill Community College earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in Massachusetts. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Williams College one of the best values for political science. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $56,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $61,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #4 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $42,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $35,330. That is a strong return on a $19,900 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $37,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,824. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,499. That is a strong return on a $24,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,865. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Amherst College came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $15,398. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $61,125. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #10 among the best values for political science. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,947 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #11 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Boston University earn a median of $45,021 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wellesley College earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $50,214. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Simmons College came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,330 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $39,657 early in their careers. Set against $25,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #14 for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,000. Political Science graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $48,690 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Western New England University placed #15 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,520. Early-career political science graduates make about $64,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Smith College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Smith College earn a median of $42,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,004. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Clark University landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $58,467 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Clark University earn a median of $33,625 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Suffolk University earned the #19 position for value in political science this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $44,845. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Northeastern University landed the #20 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,579 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $52,516. Set against $22,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,960. Students borrow a median of $26,298 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $32,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,298 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Stonehill College earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,370. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $45,195. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Merrimack College came in at #23 for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of The Holy Cross generally make around $47,029. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
Tufts University landed the #25 spot for political science value this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $67,713. That is a strong return on a $17,725 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.