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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Montana

[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 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Political Science Schools in Montana

2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Montana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Political Science Schools

1

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

$8,552 In-State Tuition & Fees

$21,173 Avg Student Debt

$44,511 Median Earnings (10yr)

The University Of Montana earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in Montana. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,173. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,094. Set against $21,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

2

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

$8,460 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,540 Avg Student Debt

$53,263 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University earned it the #2 place for political science. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,540 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Set against $20,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.