2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 154 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in political science in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for political science. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $41,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Berea College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $5,801. Political Science graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for political science. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,695. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for political science. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,609 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,609 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
American Public University System ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $18,304 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $63,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Florida International University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $26,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,276. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,641. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Central Florida placed #11 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,677. Political Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $34,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of North Georgia placed #13 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,026. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,227. Set against $22,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #14 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,250. Political Science graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Georgia placed #15 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,171 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,842. That is a strong return on a $22,171 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #16 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,925. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Political Science graduates carry a median of $29,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $42,310. That is a strong return on a $29,264 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #18 position for value in political science this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #19 among the best values for political science. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,478. Political Science graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $35,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,478 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $35,899. Set against $21,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Marshall University landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,233. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $41,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #23 for value in political science this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $23,294. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,390 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $41,449 early in their careers. Set against $29,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
Narrow Political Science Schools by State
More Political Science Rankings
View All Political Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 154 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.
